Student-Centered-Learning

StudentCenteredLearningMakingyourstudentsthecenterofyourclassroomTraditionalLearningIsteacher-centeredTheteacherhasalloftheknowledge,andsheistheonlyonewhocangiveittothestudentTheEmptyVesselTraditionallearningtreatsstudentslikeemptyvessels,withtheteacherpouringinknowledge.ExamplesofTeacherCenteredLearningLecturesGrammardrillsDirectinstructionAnyactivitywheretheteacherisincompletecontroloftheknowledgebeinggiventostudentsStudent-CenteredLearningIsstudent-centeredTheteacherisaguide,butthestudentscanfindandexchangeinformationamongstthemselvesTheSwimmingPoolTocontinuethemetaphor,student-centeredlearningismorelikeaswimmingpoolfullofknowledge.Thestudentshaveaccesstotheknowledge,and,likealifeguard,theteacheristheretoguideandprotect.So:TypesofStudent-CenteredLearningTherearethreetypesofstudent-centeredlearning:ActiveLearningCooperativeLearningInductiveLearningActiveLearningInactivelearningstudentssolveproblems,answerquestions,formulatequestionsoftheirown,discuss,explain,debate,orbrainstormduringclassCooperativeLearningIncooperativelearningstudentsworkinteamsonproblemsandprojects,butarestillindividuallyaccountableInductiveLearningIninductivelearning,studentsarefirstpresentedwithchallenges(questionsorproblems)andlearnthecoursematerialinthecontextofaddressingthechallengesoransweringthequestions.ThebenefitsofSCLShort-termandlong-termmasteryisbetterDepthofunderstandingisbetterFocusesoncriticalthinkingandcreativeproblemsolvingStudentswillenjoytheclassmoreandhaveagreaterunderstandingMoreBenefitsofSCL:StrengthensstudentmotivationPromotespeercommunicationReducesdisruptivebehaviorBuildsstudent/teacherrelationshipsPromotesdiscoveryandactivelearningResponsibilityforone’sownlearningSomeproblems:Thefocusisontheindividualstudent,soitismoredifficultfortheteacherItissometimesdifficultwithlargeclasssizesSincetheinformationdoesn’tcomefromtheteacher,studentsmaynotseethisas“real”educationWhatcanyoudo:Ifyouarelecturing:ShortdiscussionintwosQuizzesRoleplayPresentationsRounds(givingtimeforeachstudenttotalk)WrittenreflectionsonthelectureWhatyoucandoOutsideofthelectureformat:ProjectsDebatesGroupdiscussionsGivesomechoiceinsubjectsCriticalthinkingStudentcenteredlearningpromotescriticalthinkingCriticalthinkingishigher-levelthinkingandunderstanding.Itmeansthatastudentcanthinkactively,solveproblemscreatively,andunderstandthewayheorshelearns.Apersonwithgoodcriticalthinkingabilitycanconsiderbothsidesofanissue.PromotingCriticalThinkingInyourlanguageclass,youcanencouragecriticalthinkingby:HavingdebatesanddiscussionsAnalyzingproblemsormediaGivingstudentsaproblemtosolvecreativelyHavinginterestingtopicstoencouragestudentinterestExamplesofSCLActivities:TabooHotSeatJeopardyGuessWhoStandup,sitdownOpinionCornersDesertIslandCategory5Category4Category3Category2Category150403020101020304050102030405010203040501020304050PracticumDesignashortlesson(5-7minutes)thatusesoneofthetypesofstudent-centeredlearning(active,inductive,orcooperative).Presentittotheclass.