Amy’s Blog

Student Centered Learning And What It Means For Students Today

August 18, 2008

According to Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia student centered learning is an “approach to education focusing on the needs of the students, rather than those of others involved in the educational process, such as teachers and administrators”.  In my teaching philosophy I have always been a supporter of a student centered learning environment.  My ideal teaching environment would be a place where my students are part of a community of learners where their individual voice, interests, learning styles, etc are not only respected but nurtured as well.

In a student centered learning environment, students are initially at the forefront and learning is an added bonus.  Rather than creating lessons where a teacher instructs from the front of the classroom and students absorb information, in a student centered classroom the teacher creates ands on and minds on activities.  The students are encouraged to explore lessons visually and tactiley and therefore develop the skills to think critically and problem solve.  This type of learning environment sets the stage for the nature sense of inquiry where the student learns that school work has a purpose and accepting challenges becomes an award.  In this kind of learning environment the teacher values the importance of a teachable moment rather than sticking to a strict schedule. 

In the You Tube Video “A View of Students Today”, Michael Wesch wants us as viewers to consider “If students learn what they do, then why are they sitting here?”  As I reviewed this video and thought about what it means to teach in a student centered learning environment, it became apparent to me that if students learn by constructing meaning it is important for us as teachers to create learning environments that connect new content to things that students are interested in.  I think technology holds the key to these types of lessons, it is just up to us as teachers to think outside of the box and create relevance lessons that tap into our students strengths and interests to bring them to a higher level of thinking and learning.

(4) 

Works Cited

Wesch, Michael.  A Vision Of Students Today.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o.  Retrieved August 18th, 2008.

Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student-centered_learning.  Retrieved August 18th, 2008.

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized. .