The Student-Centered Classroom

By: Allison Grotz

What is a student – centered classroom?

Student-centered teaching methods shift the focus of activity from the teacher to the learners.

These methods include: active learning, in which students solve problems, answer

questions, formulate questions of their own, discuss, explain, debate, or brainstorm during class

cooperative learning, in which students work in teams on problems and projects under conditions that assure both positive interdependence and individual accountability

inductive teaching and learning, in which students are first presented with challenges (questions or problems) and learn the course material in the context of addressing the challenges. includes inquiry-based learning, case-based instruction, problem-

based learning, project-based learning, discovery learning

(Dr. Felder, 2014)

What is a student – centered classroom?

This term refers to instructional methods and classroom cultures that take individual students and their interests, needs, and experiences into consideration when teaching and testing for understanding.

(Fox & Hoffman, 2011, p. 23)

In differentiated classrooms, it is not unusual to see “students moving around the room, leading discussions, giving presentations, and working on teams to solve creative problems.

(Fox & Hoffman, 2011, p. 3)

In a student-centered class, at different times, students may be working alone, in pairs, or in groups:

Working alone, preparing ideas or making notes before a discussion, doing a listening task, doing a short written assignment, or doing grammar or vocabulary exercise

Working together in pairs or groups, comparing and discussing their answers, or reading and reacting to one another’s written work and suggesting improvements

Working together in discussions or in role-plays, sharing ideas, opinions, and experiences

Interacting with the teacher and the whole class, asking questions or brainstorming ideas

Also in a student-centered class, students may be teacher-led:

Before students work together, their teacher will help them prepare to work together with explanations and pronunciation practice.

While students are working together, their teacher will be available to give advice and encouragement.

After they’ve finished working together, and the class is reassembled, their teacher will give them feedback, offer suggestions and advice, make corrections, and answer questions.

(Jones, 2007)

Benefits

Student-centered methods have repeatedly been shown to be superior to the traditional teacher-centered approach to instruction, a conclusion that applies whether the assessed outcome is short-term mastery, long-term retention, or depth of understanding of course material, acquisition of critical thinking or creative problem-solving skills, formation of positive attitudes toward the subject being taught, or level of confidence in knowledge or skills.

(Dr. Felder, 2014)

Planning StrategiesUse a student learning chart when planning

lessons

Don’t forget to check readiness

Use Bloom’s Taxonomy

Don’t feel as though planning needs to be perfect

Planning should be student focused

(Fox & Hoffman, 2011, p. 45)

Strategies

(C. Sealfon)

Strategies

(C. Sealfon)

Strategies

(C. Sealfon)

Strategies

(C. Sealfon)

Challenges/StrategiesLarge Class Sizes - the larger the class, the more

necessary it is to have a student-centered classway to give all the students time to speak is by

having them work togetherKeep track of which groups you listen to so no one

gets left outmay need to rearrange the students and where they

sitSeat students close together so they can talk softly

and still hear one anotherRearrange groups to be near enough for you to

overhear as you walk around.

(Jones, 2007)

Challenges/StrategiesVery Small Class Sizes - students tend to be

more teacher-dependent, waiting for praise or encouragement while they talkavoid becoming part of the groups small classes

tend to be overly teacher-dependentEncourage students and answer their questions as

you move from group to group.

(Jones, 2007)

Challenges/StrategiesMixed-Ability Classes –

Vary the way you pair your students sometimes put weaker and stronger students together; sometimes group students with others of the same ability.

Explain to students the benefits of group work and why the teacher-focused alternative isn’t as effective.

Introduce methods gradually for more experienced students who are unused to autonomy

(Jones, 2007)

Video Clips/ResourcesEdweek Article – 5 Ways to Make Your Classroom

Student-Centeredhttp://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2013/12/24/ctq

_powell_strengths.html

Additional Strategieshttps://www.facinghistory.org/for-educators/educat

or-resources/teaching-strategies

Video Clips/ResourcesTeachingChannel:

Strategies for Student-Centered Discussionshttps://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/strategies

-for-student-centered-discussion

TED Talkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_R548hDA0k

Student Centered Learninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N1I6sOhDiw

Next Steps/Goal(s)By April 11th, please review this informational

PowerPoint.

By April 21st, you will have incorporated at least 1 student-centered lesson into your classroom.

By May 12th, you will have incorporated at least 2 student-centered lessons into your classroom.

Help!Feel free to send any questions, comments, or

concerns to Allison Grotz (via email, phone, or in-person)

I am here to help!

In addition, feel free to come stop by and observe a student-centered classroom for yourself!

ReferencesFelder, D. (2014). Student-Centered Teaching.

Student-Centered Teaching. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Student-Centered.html

Fox, J. & Hoffman, W. (2011). The Differentiated Instruction Book of Lists

Jones, L. (2007). The Student-Centered Classroom. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Sealfon, C. (n.d.). Student-Centered Teaching Methods. Teaching Resources. Retrieved April 2, 2014, from http://www.princeton.edu/cst/teaching-resources/methods/ModifiedPCASTTable.pdf