Hi Juanita:
Good example. I also think that student center places the emphasis on where your students are in relation to the course content, and then designing and delivering are of your resources to best mar=tch the individual needs of the students (vs. providind a predetermined lesson plan regardless if it benefit the students or not.
Regards, Barry
Hi Gloria:
I agree, the more personal and helpful you can be and perceived by your students, the better their desire and motivation to do well will be received.
Regards, Barry
After the mid-term exam in each class I have a
private conference with the student to go over
the positives of their test and essay as well as
the negatives that they may wish to brush up on
before the final exam. Then we go over their daily grades so far and what they can do to improve. This one-on-one talk seems to be so much
more uplifting than just letting them know what
grade they got on a test. I've found students to
be much better motivated to excel in the second
half of our ten-week term.
Gloria M. Jan. 7, 2010
Being a student-centered instructor would require me to be an example to the students through my every day experiences. I would review my days work habits with the class so that they understand that everyday is different and is a learned experience. I also find that it keeps their attention and it helps me think about what I can do to make my next days adventure better.
Hi Laura:
I think student centered keeps the focus on how best to meetb the needs of the students. Your credibility comes from your relationsip with your class, your preparedness, willingness to assist and offer suggestions, and being fair in discussions and testing.
Regards, Barry
Showing students that I know where they are and where they want to goal will give me credibility in teaching.
Hi Missy:
Yes, so true. Being open is difficult for some teachers either because of the environment, class size, frequency of student turnover, etc. Some may even have personal reasons for not wanting to get too close. I'm not talking about going over the line, but just being natural, friendly without being friends, relatable.
Regards, Barry
A teacher needs to be able to adapt to their students. Communication with them and be involved in their lives and progress in school is key towards being student-centered. It shows to them that you care and this in turn will help them feel at ease and supported.
Hi Ellen:
I think we should be student centered. Where that gets muddlede is in the administrative, curricular, or institutional processes that bog down the whole point of why we're there. Teachers who customize their classes and lessons are best able to be the student centerd kind of teacher.
Regards, Barry
Hi Rocco:
This is a wonderful summary of one way of looking at student centered learning. Thanks for your post!
Regards, Barry
Hi Kenneth:
Yup!
Regards, Barry
Hi Damon:
In essence when we focus our teaching based on student needs, they will learn more because the curriculum is tailored more individually.
Regards, Barry
Being a student-centered instructor will bring success in teaching both because it allows one to bring relevance and value to the individual adult learner by building a rapport and because it gives the adult student the ability to direct their experience within the course framework. If a facilitator fulfills these criteria for an adult learner they will have academic success and therein success will be the instructor's.
Hi Amy:
Yes! The challenge is to find a method that does it in an effective manner and doesn't take all day. Overall, I feel just relating to the student as a fellow adult often helps me learn about them.
Regards, Barry
Barry,
Sometimes those instructional hoops do get in the way.
Nice analogy. Ken
Hi Dr. A:
Great sentiment. If all teachers approached their students this way our educational system would be a lot better off.
I believe we can transcend traditional androgogical principles and still be student centered, because we can adjust our teaching to the individual student rather than following a prescribed curriculum.
Regards, Barry
Knowing each student in the class, their strengths and weaknesses, can help the instructor tailor their teaching so that everyone can learn the material.
Instructors who take a student-centered approach to teaching design curriculum, learning activities and address student needs with the student in mind. They look at world from a student view and understand that demographics of the students in their class may be very different from when he/she was a student. Also, these instructors leverage their knowledge and career experience to keep student motivated and reinforce why student chose to come to school and enter said industry.
Being student centered is the whole point of teaching. Students must be the focus of one's instruction other wise there is not much point in showing up. Teachers are hired in order to deliver a specific content to students in order to accomplish specific objectives. That instruction must be customized to the specific student population, whether it be second language learners, ged students, re-entry students or students who are adults with families. Age and experience must also be taken into account when designing instruction. Students are the whole reason that teachers exist.
Hi Kasey:
Good points made in your post. As teachers we do facilitate learning. The challenge is to find ways to connect with the student.
Regards, Barry
