INSTRUCT IONAL /TEACHING

STRATEGIES :CENTERS /STAT IONS  

A N N E L E I D I G H , B S R V T S E P T 2 0 1 6

CENTERS/STATIONS• Typically a designated area within the classroom that provides students with

exciting and interesting experiences to practice, enrich, reteach, and enhance their learning

•  Students visit the centers to complete an assignment or learn through different activities

EXAMPLES OF CENTERS/STATIONS

LEARNING CENTERS FOR HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS

ORGANIZING LEARNING CENTERS

CENTERS/STATIONS• Since students can work at their own pace there is no pressure to finish

quickly• Students can spend more time working on something they don’t understand

or move on quickly past things they do understand• Hands on learning is easily applied and students can watch other students

to gain knowledge also• Can be used in a classroom to teach multiple lessons at once

CENTERS/STATIONS APPLIED• In a veterinary science class it is easy to make stations that would be

found in a hospital situation• Students can partner up or work individually moving about the

stations• Five stations will be set up around the room for students to visit

– No time limit, students can stay at a station until they are comfortable with the procedure

• Students will spend time at each station practicing different activities involved in surgical prep for a routine spay or neuter

– Students will help one another with procedures– Students will turn in a work sheet at the end of class

• Gives a way to monitor progress

CENTERS/STATIONS APPLIED• Stations will Consist of the following

1. Proper hand washing techniqueStation located next to sink

2. Setting up the surgery table with the necessary suppliesStation located in surgery suite

3. Surgical Scrub techniqueStation located at prep sink

4. Record keeping/ comprehension of patient’s chartStation located by group of desks

5. Surgical transport and restraintStation located in treatment area

CENTERS/STATIONS APPLIED• Students will find at each station

– Written step by step directions for procedure on a large note card– Explanation of techniques for each step by you tube video or hand out– All materials necessary to complete the task– Questions involving the procedure to help the students think about the task and

remember proper technique• Students will practice the procedure until they are comfortable with it• Students will be instructed to help one another if needed as I make my way

around to the different stations

CENTERS/STATIONSWHAT THEY DO WELL

• Focus on standards and skills• Teaches accountability and independence• Address multiple ranges of reading levels, interests and

skill levels• Monitors students for learning and growth• Provides clear instruction and explanation• Allows teacher to work with students in smaller groups or

one on one• Allows students to work together and independently• Students are more relaxed• Allows students to have extra practice where they need it• Provide downtime for over stimulated students

CENTERS/STATIONSTHE DRAW BACKS

• Time consuming to set up • Large amount of space required• Can be costly• Noisy• Can effect student self esteem• May require special training• Hard to keep students on track• Hard to apply in grades beyond elementary school• Can be harder to evaluate student success than a test or quiz

CENTERS/STATIONS• This style of learning is applicable in real life situations• Many jobs in the vet science career field utilize stations to keep the work

day productive and on track• Students learn to work in a group setting, but on an individual basis

REFERENCES

• http://www.fortheteachers.org/instructional_strategies/• http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/new-approach-learning-centers• http://oureverydaylife.com/disadvantages-learning-centers-17974.html