Hi Tom:
One of the best ways of being a student-centered instructor is to consistently be flexible in our approach. This may be difficult, especially with technical course work that must be delivered to the student in order for them to move on in a training program.
However, if we can always keep in mind the teaching methods that work best for your student group, and having a willingness to make changes in delivery on the fly will promote the outcomes that are in the best interests of our students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Sherri:
One of the best ways of being a student-centered instructor is to consistently be flexible in our approach. This may be difficult, especially with technical course work that must be delivered to the student in order for them to move on in a training program.
However, if we can always keep in mind the teaching methods that work best for your student group, and having a willingness to make changes in delivery on the fly will promote the outcomes that are in the best interests of our students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Roy:
One of the best ways of being a student-centered instructor is to consistently be flexible in our approach. This may be difficult, especially with technical course work that must be delivered to the student in order for them to move on in a training program.
However, if we can always keep in mind the teaching methods that work best for your student group, and having a willingness to make changes in delivery on the fly will promote the outcomes that are in the best interests of our students.
Regards, Barry
Being a student-centered instructor will provide an environment for the greatest chances of student success which directly relates to an instructors' success.
A big part of getting students to understand what you are teaching is for you to understand who you are talking to. if you do not understand who your students are, how are you going to choose the proper delivery method to get your wealth of information out to them in a way that they will understand?
Hi Scott:
Are there any ideas on what can help a student succeed? For example, offering tutoring outside of class, or offering regular access to grades?
Regards, Barry
Hi James:
There are a couple of tips to guage how well an instructor is keeping their method student oriented. One is to keep a teaching journal that addresses this. Another is presenting the material with the idea from the student's perspective. Some call this the "what's in it for me" concept.
Regards, Barry
Hi Rosetta:
That's so true! One way to help see if you are doing this (or any instructor) is to keep a teaching journal and consistently ask ourselves, "am I meeting the needs of the student?" If the answer is no, then what can be done better to support this idea?
Regards, Barry
Ways to be a student-centered instructor
1. If possible, utilize student records and test scores to get an idea of what skills the student has mastered as well as areas the student has struggled
2. Consider a seating arrangement where stronger students are paired or sitting near students that have needs
3. As you teach, monitor and adjust based on student response - don't be afraid to change your lesson plan if students are not learning/responding
4. Ask for feed back
5. Be organized
6. Write lear objectives or student outcomes
Well the student is the reason for the need of an Instructor. The student is the first and only priority so I should be a student centered instructor. My job is to allow maximum learning for each of my students and that is done by making them the center of my intentions. It is with this attitude that I hope for all of my students to look forward to learning as they are the center of the schools universe. That attitude promotes comfort and if my students are comfortable they are more apt to stay in school and that is our number 1 success
But can it still be true to the course description?
I can change the curriculum according to the students in the class needs. Each class seems to have different needs, such as background knowlege and personal experience on the subject. I have taught the same class 2 times and the students were on a completely different levels and needed special projects to accomodate there
needs.
Hi Lyn:
One way we might answer this very philosophical question of how to be a better teacher by being a student-centered instructor might come from keeping a teaching journal that asks what best served the student's needs in every learning activity you use.
Regards, Barry
Hi Warren:
Excellent! Also, if the instructor is flexible and can use a different teaching method that helps a student's understanding, perhaps another aspect of this philosophy is to be willing to exercise flexibility in the learning environment as much as possible.
Regards, Barry
The student is in your class to learn. The instructor already (or should) knows the material. Focusing on the student ensures that students gain the knowledge he or she will need for their chosen career path. Nothing is more wonderful than seeing a student come into class with no knowledge about the subject or how to do a procedure and seeing them progress to the point of total comfort with the subject and/or performing a task using the skills they learned in my class.
You develop a better understanding of your students and what it is that they seek. You will also develop a better understanding of what teaching method to use with them. You will understand that just because you get a book with 20 chapters does not mean you have to cover all 20 chapters and run through lessons not realizing that your students are not picking up on anything.
Hi Sandra:
One concept that supports this philosophy is the need to be flexible at all times in our delivery approach. For example, what if it met the needs of the student best by having a group discussion instead of a lecture?
Regards, Barry
You also have to challenge them to expand on their needs by giving them ever newer information
Furthermore, as you come to know and understand your students interests and goals better, you can tailor your classroom presentations more closely to their needs. It further underscores that you care, as well as draws them further into the content and serves to increase their motivation level.
They are the focus. We've already learned the material now we need to hand it down to others. We also need to remember to include newer evidence based material in addition to what we already know to show progression and change.
