Putting Students First: How to Implement a Student-Centered Teaching Method

Introduction

There has been a recent shift in education towards a more student-centered approach to teaching and learning. This type of approach places the student at the center of the learning process and emphasizes the importance of student agency, voice, and choice. In this post, we will explore how to implement student-centered learning in your classroom and provide some strategies and tips to make this approach a reality.

What is Student-Centered Learning?

Student-centered learning is an approach to education that shifts the focus from the teacher to the student. It involves creating a learning environment that is tailored to the needs, interests, and abilities of each individual student. This approach places the responsibility of learning in the hands of the students, allowing them to take ownership of their learning and develop important skills such as autonomy and independence.

Why is Student-Centered Learning Important?

Student-centered learning has many benefits, including increased engagement, better attention, and improved proficiency in standards. It also fosters a growth mindset in students, emphasizing the importance of learning and growth over grades and performance. Additionally, student-centered learning creates a positive and supportive classroom community and helps students develop important social skills.

Research has shown that when students are given agency and a voice in their learning, they become more motivated and engaged in the learning process. When students are actively involved in the learning process, they are more likely to retain information and apply it in real-world situations. By shifting the focus from the teacher to the student, student-centered learning helps to create lifelong learners who are motivated and empowered to continue learning throughout their lives.

Strategies for Implementing Student-Centered Learning in Your Classroom

To implement student-centered learning in your classroom, try the following strategies:

1. Prioritize Learner Needs and Interests

Tailor instruction to meet the needs and interests of each individual student. Get to know your students and understand their learning styles, strengths, and areas for growth. This will allow you to create a more personalized learning experience.

One way to do this is by using differentiated instruction. This approach involves tailoring instruction to meet the needs of individual students. Teachers can use a variety of strategies to differentiate instruction, including tiered assignments, flexible grouping, and varied instructional materials. By using differentiated instruction, teachers can provide students with the support and challenge they need to succeed.

2. Use Strategic Questions

Plan strategic questions prior to lessons. Prompt and guide students to self-discovery through questioning rather than simply delivering information. For example, when teaching fractions, add context and ask questions like, “What does the numerator represent?”

Strategic questions can help students develop critical thinking skills and engage in deeper learning. By asking open-ended questions, teachers can encourage students to think creatively and make connections between different ideas. Strategic questioning also helps to promote student agency, voice, and choice in the learning process.

3. Use Cooperative Learning Structures

Encourage collaboration and teamwork among students through cooperative learning structures. This will help students develop important social skills and get them thinking and talking more.

One example of cooperative learning is the jigsaw method. This approach involves dividing students into small groups and assigning each group member a different piece of information to learn. Students then come together to share their knowledge and collaborate on a final product or project. By using cooperative learning structures, teachers can promote student agency, voice, and choice, while also fostering a positive and supportive classroom community.

4. Foster a Classroom Community

Create a positive and supportive classroom community by building relationships with students and promoting collaboration and teamwork. This can be done through community-building activities and projects, such as the “smiles and frowns” activity mentioned earlier. Additionally, teachers can encourage students to support each other and work together through cooperative learning structures.

A classroom community built on trust and mutual respect helps students feel safe and comfortable taking risks in their learning. When students feel supported and valued, they are more likely to engage in the learning process and take ownership of their learning.

5. Provide Opportunities for Student Voice and Choice

Empower students to take ownership of their learning by providing opportunities for student voice and choice. This can be done through activities such as student-led conferences, where students have the opportunity to share their learning with their parents and take ownership of their progress.

Teachers can also provide students with a range of options for demonstrating their learning, such as creating a video, writing a paper, or designing a project. By providing students with choices, teachers can promote student agency and voice, and choice in the learning process.

6. Infuse a Growth Mindset into Instruction

Teach students the importance of a growth mindset by treating proficiency levels as separate, attainable goals with strength-based language. Encourage students to view mistakes as opportunities for growth and help them develop a sense of resilience and perseverance.

One way to promote a growth mindset is to use formative assessments, such as self-reflection and peer feedback. These assessments allow students to reflect on their progress and identify areas for growth. By emphasizing the importance of growth and improvement over grades and performance, teachers can promote a growth mindset and help students become lifelong learners.

Conclusion

Implementing student-centered learning in your classroom requires a shift in focus from the teacher to the student. By prioritizing learner needs and interests, using strategic questions, using cooperative learning structures, fostering a classroom community, providing opportunities for student voice and choice, and infusing a growth mindset into instruction, teachers can create a learning environment that promotes student agency, voice, and choice. By empowering students to take ownership of their learning, teachers can create lifelong learners who are motivated and empowered to continue learning throughout their lives.