One of the benefits of student-centered outcome based learning is that it helps you break the material into smaller, more manageable concepts that are focused and clear to the learner. You are also able to measure the outcome and determine if the student was successful or not. It is a win-win when you have well-written outcomes.
Ryan,
Most courses have daily objectives. These lead to more general corse objectives. A higher order is the student learning outcomes (SLO's). These help instructors determine if, and to what degree the students have mastered the material. We all have hopes all our students will do well. The SLO's are a way we can measure the successfulness of of hopes.
Barry Westling
To have each student learn the material and be able to apply that material in their world according to their individual uniqueness.
I believe this is my main goal as an instructor.
Brenda,
That's it! There are all kinds of student instructional delivery methods, but in the end, we need to be sure we have provided sufficient learning outcomes for students. The student learning outcomes (SLO's) are a method that provide a way to measure the degree of student learning that occured.
Barry Westling
The outcome in student centered learning should be that the course objectives have been sufficiently learned by the students at the end of the subject. It is a way for the instructor to measure if students learned sufficiently or if it is necessary to repeat some or all of the course material or try a different approach to get the information across.
Paulette,
My take on student centered learning is the instructor needs to willing to modify or adjust their pre-planned activities if there are special student needs or attention needed to get the point acoss. It can be a challenge if there is fixed time limits. Peer instruction (student to student) certainly can be a part of student centered learning.
Barry Westling
The outcome of student centered learning is very essential because student learn from each other. The student develop a sense of pride when they are made to own their learning, because of their input.
Courtney,
Great points, all. SLO's best help determine whether students have learned as planned. "WIIFM" keeps classes lively, interesting, and more enjoyable.
Barry Westling
We use SLO's for our day to day learning, what the assessments are teaching, and institutional SLO's. I also incorporate the "why this is important to me" into every lecture because if students don't understand how a topic actually affects them in the "real" world, they're less likely to pay attention.
Amy,
Right. Matching what is taught to what is expected is an appropriate objective and commendable achievement when it is attained.
Barry Westling
I believe that teaching to the student so that they are able to bring their gained knowledge and skills to their career than we are creating a student centered learning environment. To that extent we want them to succeed and we shoudl create lessons and assessments that are similar to their work environment. Role playing and case studies as well as evaluations similar to exams they will need to take for credentialing are the best way to help to prepare them.
Khalid,
Meeting student learning outcomes requires taht course objecticves are met. They're a measure of student effectiveness.
Barry Westling
the learning outcomes are good if they are actively involved in the open discussion
Claire,
Other use of the term student learning outcomes are what the student will achieve when all of the cumulative course objectives have been met. So, we have activities, that are part of a lesson, that are part of a daily objective, that are part of a course objective, that are part of a student learning outcome (SLO), that are part of a program learning outcome (PLO), that are part of a institutional learning outcome (ILO). It's a taxonomy of a learning hierarchy.
Barry Westling
Student centered learning incorporates more formative assessment. That is assessment in the classroom during instruction.
Examples of formative assessment include feedback on essays, written comments on assignments, grades during the year that do not add to end of year mark and multiple-choice questions/answers for feedback only. It also includes asking the students such questions as:
What is the most confusing concept that you encountered in today's class?
What is the most interesting/useful concept that you encountered in today's class?
What were you thinking just before I asked this question?
The addition of more formative assessment encourages a more student-centered approach.
By developing more formative assessment in your courses you can provide a focus for the student by highlighting their learning gaps and areas that they can develop.
Erica,
SLO's are the determinant that our instruction gas been effective. Essentially they are questions that ask "if these are met, we will have achieved the level of instruction desired".
Barry Westling
I am a new instructor but student learning outcomes should be competency and clear understanding of material. If they aren't understanding something it is my job, as I have the experience in the field.
Kelly,
Yes, what matters most is assessment of learning. Varied methods to achieve that goal, however different or individualized are effective tools for the instructor to use.
Barry Westling
The outcomes of Student centered learning are the ability of the students to demonstrate what they have learned in a manner that is consistent with the individual student's learning style. This would entail students participating in the evaluation process. This style of teaching and evaluating differs greatly from the traditional teacher-centered learning in which the teacher gives a blanket exam to all students and grades them all the same.
The outcome of student centered learning is that each student is taught, or treated, individually so that they learn in a manner that is suited to them.
I hope to start implementing this style of learning; I am new to teaching.
It seems like an excellent method for vocational, or skill, style learning.
Renee,
Another application for SLO's are instructor/institutional guidelines that determine what a student should master prior to completing a class. I post the SLO or SLO's for a given class prominently so students can see where the class is leading to and what and why it's being discussed. These form the systematic organization for a course.
Barry Westling
