There are various educational practices that embrace the notion of student-centered education. A good way to picture this is to think of a continuum with the least directed, most learner-driven forms of education at one end, and the most ordered and authority-directed forms at the other. Broad Context of EducationLeast directed, Learner-Driven <---------------------------------> Most ordered, Authority Driven Schools School Districts Individual Classroom Forms Range of … [Read more...]
6 Perspectives and Qualities of a Student-Centered Educator
What defines a student-centered educator? Is it enough to know the book, to know the drill, to know the test, to know the system, to know what the administration expects? We think not. A student-centered educator will manage this while saving his or her best energy for observing, appreciating, and considering deeply the one unique learner who sits before him or her, hoping to be understood.What else does it take to be a student-centered educator?The following is a set of perspectives and … [Read more...]
5 Steps to Become a Student-Centered Individual
To start the process of becoming student-centered educator, it is important to:Expand your thinking and use of language Appreciate the uniqueness of each learner and develop an attitude for openness and flexibility of mind that allows us to be deeply attuned to what is in each students best interest educationally Recognize that the student is whole and complete beyond any influence of ours Respect the individuality of the student and the limits of our relationship as well as its … [Read more...]
Part 1 – Do You Know What Inspires and Motivates Your Teachers?
In Part 1 of the brainstorming session at the NISCE Launch event the focus was on the educators.When asked to give brief examples of what makes them feel successful after a day's involvement with students:Watching a student truly engage with a lesson Watching students achieve goals they set Watching a student demonstrate self awareness in a tough class projectWhen asked to give brief examples of what helps them feel energized and inspired, they noted the following:Being a mentor to … [Read more...]
Two Stories That Bring Smiles
There are schools around the country which are committed to finding creative ways to help their students embrace the diversity found within their classrooms. Teachers and students from the Morse Pond School (Falmouth, MA) have begun an annual celebration. The Morse Pond School Lip Dub was done by 5th and 6th grade students at the elementary school. A lip dub, which is a type of video that combines lip synching with an audio dubbing to make a music video, was done to celebrate a schoolwide … [Read more...]
Context In Education Is Everything–Being The ‘Coach’ Everyone Loves
The field of education has typically used the term student-centered education to designate specific types of programming and pedagogical technique. Most often, it is applied to classroom activities in which the individual learner takes a great deal of responsibility for his or her own learning. In these settings, the teacher may organize activities and provide resources, but then takes on a coaching or facilitating role as students work cooperatively to solve problems, construct their own … [Read more...]
Does Your Environment Reflect Student-Centeredness’?
On hearing the term student-centered education, many people will have a pretty good idea of what it means to them. It will probably have something to do with a type of educational environment in which the child or student is the focal point of activity. And what other focus could there be, one might ask?Since it is the student who is being educated, where else would you focus? As it turns out, this is not nearly as obvious as we might hope or imagine. In many learning environments, the focus … [Read more...]
Engage. Inspire. Learn.
Soon after coalescing around a name for their new initiative, NISCE advocates found a tagline that they hope will help them engage educators, parents and students in conversation and will inspire all of us to look closely at what must be present in our schools and classrooms for effective learning to take place. Drawn from an instructional model that is at the core of Schools for Children’s own diverse schools, the new tagline “Engage – Inspire – Learn” leans heavily on the critical importance … [Read more...]
