That the success of the students is the ultimate goal, and their success is your success.
Hi Dale:
The thing about career or vocational instruction is often these students have not had much success in past academic endeavors. Yet, given the opportunity, it's amazing how proficient and eager they can be to learn a trade or profession. Their motivation is high. That's a great environment to teach in.
Regards, Barry
I have found that knowing students personalities and learning styles is very helpful in career school settings because i can determine the best way to approach individual students, teach in a method that works for them, and have everyone learn the same thing by the end of the class, no matter how they acheived that end.
Hi Penelope:
Good point, although not all teachers are flexible enough to give this idea the attention it deserves. They have a set curriculum. They won't vary from it one bit. So all students get the same "one size fits all" lesson, whether they learn or not. Student focused teachers create an environment that provides for each student to reach their full potential.
Regards, Barry
Hi Mark:
When we are interested in students learning, and that requires deviating or doing something a little different, that's one way to define student focused. We may have the perfect curriculum, but like the wrong sized shoes, it just might not fit - so we have to adapt.
Regards, Barry
Hi Grace:
When students realize their successful instructor came from a similar background, wow: that can be a truely inspirational and motivational revelation. Relating your past to the future careers of your students should get them focused on the purpose of being in school.
Regards, Barry
On the first day of class after having students introduce themselves and explain to me why they chose the course I teach, I also give them some background info about me and my career. They are all aware that I started out the same way they did
in the beginning. I focus on all of my students not just for passing grades but also for careers when they have graduated. So my students know there are and will be many challenges in the world but they must face them head on.
I have seen Firsthand a student-centered event igniting student’s curiosity, actively engaging students into an intense active-learning session.
In a student-centered classroom, students are encouraged to participate actively in learning the material as it is presented rather than being passive and perhaps taking notes quietly.
Such as in interior design were I had the student’s research lighting for the most cost effective outcome in initial purchase, longevity and running cost.
We developed a excel formula which calculated 1 month, 3 month, yearly and bi yearly total cost.
This type of approach promoted Participation, Learning, Understanding, and overall Success of the project.
The students learned about lighting fixtures, installation, efficiencies, research, excel formulas it also translates into longer retention.
I have students who still bring it up today.
I have been sold on this approach since.
That is the reason that you teach; to impart your knowledge and experience on young minds.
Hi Mazzy:
I think you've got a good grasp of this content. I hope your institution allows for tailoring your classess to achieve these outcomes.
Regards, Barry
Our success as instructors and educators is truly dependent on the success of our students. It starts with them and ends with them.
Everything and anything that we do in the classroom should be based on their needs and wants. When we understand these needs and work on strategizing a plan for effective teaching is when learning becomes effective.
Hi Connie:
One way to look at this is to answer the question "Am I here to teach" or "What can I do to help students learn?" The answer to these two questions defines if we're focused on the student and have their interests as our emphasis.
Regards, Barry
As an instructor I feel the focus should always be the student or learner. That is what I am here for, to help them learn what they need to in order to succeed.
Hi Greg:
Good comments. One guage that a teacher is moving towards student centered approaches is when the students feel they are the priority, and they can feel every activity is being assigned or facilitated in order to help them in their learning journey. Restaing your sentiment, I say rather than teaching classes, we want to facilitate learning. That's a student centered teacher.
Regards, Barry
Hi Peggy:
Great! Students sense whebn a teacher sincerely cares about their students and their learning, and when they are just doing a job. In a student centered environment, the student should both learn but also feel that when they are in class, their instruction is the most important priority.
Regards, Barry
Lots of great responses in this forum. My thoughts are to remember why you started teaching in the first place. I try to place myself in the students shoes as much as possible. By letting them steer the course while you keep it within the limits, you'd be surprised how much learning occurs. Students can be powerful multipliers if properly mentored, enabled, and inspired. Its not about what you know, its about what they need to know!
Greg
It shows the students that you are interested in their education and learning. It establishes the relataionship with the students that is needed for the students to be motivated in the information you are giving them.
Hi Misty:
Good! Whenever we perform activities that aim to assist students complete their work or improve their learning opportunities, we are taking steps closer to being student centered. Of course, we have to meet the course objectives, but usually there is a lot of lattitude in how that accomplished. I sometimes refer to the "Blah/Wow", simply refering to how I would like my students to think about my classes. Would they think "Blah", or would they think "Wow". Thinking in a student centered perspective, I'm more likely to get that wow!
Regards, Barry
By focusing on the needs and skills of the students, the proper materials and delivery methods can be chosen.
Hi Jennifer:
In a sense all instruction should be studentednt centered. Anything we can do to improve the understanding and performance of individual students is a step towards productive student centered curriculum.
Regards, Barry
