By being a student-centered instructor leads to success in teaching by focusing attention where it needs to be: on the student. It is always imperative to keep one's audience in mind when preparing any presentation. If an instructor bears in mind the end user they will have a much better chance og getting their point across.
As an instructor at a Career School being student centered is a must. Being students centered helps to keep the students engaged in the learning process, when students are engaged it makes instructing that much easier and that much more productive for all the students.
Whenever possible I try to relate my experiences in the field to my class topics, as it not only serves as a teaching example but provides an excellent way to help students better understand topics and keep them interested in the classes. Having some background information from the students also makes this much easier.
Being a student-centered instructor helps students engage with course material in a way that is personal. Human beings are ego involved individuals. We often don't pay attention to things unless they directly impact us. A student's interest in a course works in the exact same way. If instructors don't take a student-centered approach, students won't understand how they can apply the material outside of the classroom. We certainly don't want our students to just memorize definitions for a test and forget them two months later! We need to structure our curriculum and courses to directly meet the needs of the student population we're working with. Audience analysis is key to successful student-centered instruction.
Hi Ally:
Right. That's why we do what we do. Flexibility is as more important as structure in this case.
Regards, Barry
I often "see" the look on my students faces: deer in the headlights---have no idea what I'm talking about, the "ahaw" moment---when they understand, etc. I think this "knowing" your students comes with time and understanding that not everyone learns the same. Bending your style to the "faces" of the students helps alot.
Being a student-centered instructor is a necessity for the 21st century learner. This is especially true in our career college field. Our students need hands-on, real world application of skills, competencies and problem solving. If you are instructor centered, this cannot happen. If you have a two hour class, you should have a minimum of 3-4 activities that keeps the pace moving, the students on their toes and it is more than just a lecture which I have seen. While lectures can be great, they need to be short, to the point and set students up to practice and apply their knowledge during the same class.
The instructor-centered teacher is the "Sage on the Stage" and the student centered teacher is the "Creator and Facilitator of Learning"
Being student centered will help me asses how my instructing is being recieved by the students. It will get me more involved in their learning experience, and provide me with new ideas to make the learning more enjoyable through observations and feedback.
I agree.
In the end, the ultimate question is not did I teach the content, but did my students learn it?
Thanks,
Ally
Hi Ally:
For me, student centered put the focus of the class on the individual needs of students, trying to find what it takes to get my message across. I have to be willing to bend my curriculum some if needed, and for some, that's a hard thing to do. Some curriculum is very set and organized with little room for modification. Still, with a creative touch, both the curriculum and student needs are bbeing met. That's being student centered.
Regards, Barry
At the heart of the classroom should be student success. If that is in place, then student-centered instructor is measuring his/her success by student learning.
Many times in my classroom, I let students know that the purpose of them being in the classroom is to learn. Additionally, every student has the opportunity to get an A in my class.
A key element in this process is to have clear expectations. If you pave a clear path to an A, most students will do what is required to get that grade.
Students also thrive on the support. When each student knows that the instructor has his/her best interest at heart, they will not hesitate to ask for help and will respect you immensly for your role in their life.
Hi Sandra:
Student centered is flexing to meet student needs. What you describe is a version that sounds effective. Good!
Regards, Barry
Hi Donald:
Students like stories and sometime can be the best memory of an important teaching moment.
Regrads, Barry
I believe that listening to the students' concerns and observing and analyzing their work productivity, i.e. assignments, quizzes, machine techniques, etc., in the classroom will help me to prepare lesson plans for the students' success in the class and out in the real-life phase of their profession.
A student centered instructor leads to a student centered classroom. With a student centered class room the focus of the students will be on learning and how to get the most out of each class session. The students will feel they are part of the class and participate more in class room activities.
Placing the students at the center of your teaching guides the success of your class. It is important to base your instructional delivery on the needs of your students and be willing to modify your delivery during the course and even within one class if the students are not absorbing the information. If you continually look to the students to ensure that they are learning the material and applying it, and even change your approach if they are not, then you will be successful. You cannot simply deliver the material just to get it out there. It is only valuable if the students actually absorb it and then utilize it.
Hi Deborah:
For me, I think about student centered as adjusting my preplanned curriculum to meet the individual needs of students. Any given class proposes to to teach a student a collection of information. However I can best do that, and by whatever means is an example of focusing on student needs more than my need to provide information. I facilitate learning, vs providing information.
Regards, Barry
Being a student centered instructor allows you to develop the strenghts of not only each student but of the class as a whole. It also instills a sense of accomplishment in the student and encourages them to put their best foot forward in the class
Deborah Balentine
I try as an instructor, to understand what my students don't understand. That allows me to deliver information at their level. Also, I like to develop a good relationship with my students that lets them know that I care about them as person and a student. And that I care about their success, and am excited about their careet potential. I try to be very encouraging to them, and praise them for a job well done.
Hi Taylon:
For me student centered puts the focus on what the student needs to learn the material vs my preplanned curriculum that dictates when and how things will be. It individualizes the students instruction to some degree.
Regards, Barry
