The outcome should be that the student is able to work their way through the material and transfer it to the real world.
For me, student-centered learning is so rewarding! I teach a course that is not so popular with the students in our AAS program, as it is not as exciting as their other lab classes. I love it when I hear "Chef, I really was afraid of Baking because I didn't know anything about it. You taught me a lot." Or there's that instance when you hear "I can't do this!", but then and hour later you see the pride when they've accomplished the goal. Granted, some days are better than others, but it's those golden moments that keep you teaching.
Hi Sandra:
Yes, we are faciliators, and the more we can guide the student (vs provide all the information), the more student centered we'll be.
Regards, Barry
Hi Amy:
For me, student ceneted (from the teachers standpoint) is flexing to meet individual needs as much as possible. Like our own kids, each is different, so assuring the objectives are met but also individualizing the curriculum is one component.
Regards, Barry
Hi Greg:
SLO's are really the outcome of our teaching efforts. So, anything that achieve that is great.
Regards, Barry
Hopefully the outcome is not only the specific topic or topics that were taught are learned and retained, but also that the student is able to use that knowledge on different levels and aspects of their lives. By making it student centered, an instructor has the ability to use student life scenarios as a media to get the points being taught to "stick."
The outcome of student-centered learning can only be positive, if as an instructor, one keeps the focus on the student. Student-centered learning, to me, means allowing the student to prosper within the classroom using me as the guide. As an educator, my focus is on helping each student transition from one level to the next with the skills and confidence needed to become a professional in their field.
Applied knowledge. Utilizing the information presented and applied to varying situations. An instructor teaches a certain topic with the hope that the student can integrate that knowledge as it applies to their individual situation.
No matter at what stage of the course, I'm always
so thrilled to see the weight lifted and they
realize "Yes I can", their choice to attend
this class was the correct one and they can
go forward knowing they will succeed both in
class and their chosen field. Naturally, not
without "speed-bumps" but they have started
to get a taste of accomplishment, for some they
never experience before. I never forget to
remind them, it was done by their's and their's
alone effort. Instructors only show them the path to knowledge.
The outcome of student-centered learning is the focus on students to gain knowledge and skills that will make them successful in their career and future.
Student centered learning includes the student's needs as well as instructor or institution's methods. Sometimes an instructor needs to look at the situation from the student's point of view to see more clearly. It is so exciting when a student has been stuggling and all of a sudden in an "aha" moment he gets it!
Hi George:
I think too, the more we act as facilitators of learning as much as the "providers", the student will gain much more from their instructional time with us. We should lead students to not just what they need to know, but assist them understanding the why, the when, the how, and the where of the material as well. These are SLO's too.
Regards, Barry
The "aha" moments are truly inspiring as well as "Thanks for putting the information in a format that I can relate to". Knowing and understanding the class requires you as their educator to constantly access, recalculate, and address their needs and still get the objectives across.
One of the side benefits is the fact that the school gets a very happy customer and more referrals.
Alternative activities take as much time to think through as planning a traditional lecture. If activities are just given to students and the instructor just hopes for the best. The best is usually the chance conversations the students have during the activity. The students need to know the expected learning outcome. This can be given with the activity instruction or after the activity as the students report on an integrate their learning activity.
The outcome is a bunch of students who are happy, successful, inspired, inspirational, motivated, critical thinking, inquiring, etc, etc!!
Hi Eileen:
Good description. In a more academic sense, student learning objectives are the "WHAT" a student should know when they've successfully completed a class, compared to couyrse objectives, which are like the "HOW" the slo's will be met.
Regards, Barry
The outcome for student centered learning is the successful preparation of students to perform in their chosen field. This learning goes beyond just training the student in a skill; but rather facilitating their development of cognitive skills in their chosen area.It will allow them to both problem solve on their own and to further their professional education beyond the level of certification.
Hi Jose:
For me, student learning outcomes (SLO's) are the "WHAT" a student is expected to learn from a course, as compared to course objectives that describe the "HOW" the slo's will be achieved. They work together to define and achieve the course material.
Regards, Barry
Different students learn differently and with student-centered learning, all students will have had the material presented to them in a way that they can learn it.
