PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMET

PROGRAMME

14 April 2011

An Introduction to Student-Centered

Learning

Ahmed AmeezMorning Session In charge

Which Strategy??????

Student- Centered Instructional StrategiesUsing the proper approach for the situation at

hand is essential in teaching.Teacher-centered instruction – Mini-lectureStudent-centered instruction – Group activitiesTeachers must accept the idea that learning is an

active process – not only acquisition of information

Use a variety of techniques to maximize the learning process

Student- Centered Instructional StrategiesA number of skills must be taught:

- critical thinking- independent inquiry

- problem solving- active group participation

Group activity is a part of life- workplace- round table discussions- religious and club activities

Group skills are learned, not natural.

Student- Centered Instructional Strategies Learning activities must be appropriate for the information

being taught◦ Writing – not learned by recognizing grammatical constructions of

sentences◦ Playing soccer – not learned from a lecture

Keep the following things in mind when selecting instruction:◦ Mode of instruction determines what is learned◦ Students must be actively involved in learning◦ Have high expectations for all students◦ Students need constant feedback about learning◦ Students need independent study and cooperative learning◦ Regardless of your content area, you are also a teacher of

reading, writing, thinking and study skills Learning must be meaningful – use direct experiences often

Teacher-Centered Learning vs. Student Centered Learning

Teacher-centered:Strengths:

Lot of content can be covered in a short amount of time

Teacher is in control of what is covered

Student achievement is predictableWeaknesses:

Student motivation is extrinsic

Students have little control over pace of learning

Students make few decisions about their learning

No opportunity for creativity

Student-Centered:

Strenghts:•Students learn content, and in more depth• Students develop a sense of personal self worth• Source of motivation is most likely intrinsicWeaknesses:•Content coverage may be more limited•Strategies are time consumingTeacher has less control over content and time•Specific results are less predictable

Selecting Learning Activities

When students are involved in direct experiences, they use more sensory channels

Results in more integrated and effective learning that is meaningful and long lasting

Learning by doing creates authentic learning

Example: Teaching about tide poolsStudent-Centered/Direct Experience Examples: (Use many

sensory channels) Visiting and experiencing a tide pool (see, hear, touch,

smell) Building a classroom model of a tide pool Watching a video or program on tide poolsTeacher-Centered Examples: (Use only one sensory channel) Teacher lectures about tide pools (see only) Use of charts, diagrams, pictures, etc. of tide pools

*The most effective and longest-lasting learning is that which engages the most senses and direct/hand-on activities

Involvement with Student-Centered Activities

How many of the following activities have you experiences during learning?

How did you like the activities? Do you feel they were more effective than

lecture?

-Brainstorming-Case Study-Committee-Debate-Discovery-Whole class discussion

-Field trip-Forum-Learning activity center-Role-playing-Roundtable discussion- Panel discussion

Paired LearningInquiry Teaching (Good for teaching thinking skills)

Think-Pair-Share Paired Team Learning The Learning Center Peer tutoring

Problem Solving Inquiry & Discovery

Learning in Small Groups• Complete activities• Summarize, question, predict• Cooperative learning groups – small groups from mixed backgrounds

Project-Centered Learning

• Students select topic for project• Include writing as part of project• Can be in groups or individual

Methods of Interactive Student Participation

Writing Across the Curriculum – You too, are a teacher of writing!Writing should be encouraged in all areas of curriculum

Types of Writing: Analysis – Speculates cause and effect Autobiographical Incident – narrates event in their life Evaluation – judges worth of item, such as a film Eyewitness account – describes event writer knows

well Problem solving – analyze problem and argue solution Report of info – collects data and chooses material

that best represents a concept Story – uses dialogue to show conflict between

character and environment

Learning by Educational Games

Educational games include a variety of learning

activities:Purposes of Educational

Games:Mind gamesBoard gamesComputer gamesSporting games

Add variety & change of pace to instruction

Assess student learning Motivate students Offer break from usual

modes of learning Provide learning through

real life simulations Review subject matter

learning*Experiences tend to involve many senses, therefore creating valuable learning experiences for the pupils

We Are Almost DoneCombine instructional strategies for an effective teaching

and learning experienceActivities that engage many senses enhance the learning

experienceStudent-centered instruction may be hard to implement –

it requires careful preparationHowever - it is worth the time!Don’t be that beginning teacher who only uses the

traditional teacher-centered approaches.

MILLIONS OF THANKS