How To Employ Student-Centered Learning?

A teacher can teach students in various ways, some teachers prefer the lecture method, some use the demonstration method and others use the experiential method. Every teaching approach has there own benefits, however, the best method of teaching students is that which is suitable for students and involves them in their learning process. And that method is student-centred teaching and learning. 

In the student-centred learning approach, the students are the focal point of all the teaching and learning activities. Teachers try to keep students engaged in learning through activities and practicals rather than just reciting lessons to them. Using student-centred learning is beneficial for students to teach them new skills and for their mental development, that’s why teachers need to use this method of learning in both offline and online teaching. But the question is how? How can teachers incorporate student-centred learning in the real classroom setting?

Here in this article, we will discuss the various ways, using which teachers can apply the student-centred method of learning. So let’s go.

Observe Student’s Behaviour: Teachers can successfully employ the student-centred method when they are aware of their student’s learning needs and interests. Every student is different from the other, they have different learning styles, paces and patterns to do things, while teaching all these students in one classroom teachers need to be conscious and observant of the behaviour patterns and habits of children. Then only teachers will be able to use various teaching aids effectively.

Build A Rapport: In this method of learning, students are the active participants and teachers act as their facilitators who help students when needed. To make students comfortable and open with themselves, so that students can come to teachers; teachers need to build a rapport with students. And to do so they need to communicate and interact with children regularly, teachers can start with introductions, ask students their names and hobbies etc. ask students about their dreams and aspirations. When teachers connect with students on a personal level, students feel a sense of belongingness and inclusion.

Allow Decision-Making: The basic purpose of student-centred learning is to include students in learning, so when it comes to making some basic decisions teachers should allow students to do it. Letting students make some simple decisions will teach them skills like decision-making skills, and critical -thinking skills which will ultimately develop their minds and personality. Teachers can practice it by including students in decisions like letting them decide the topics of their assignments, and giving them choices in test questions are some of the ways. Start with these ways and take it to the next level by discussing real-life situations with them and asking what their take would be under such situations. 

Group-Projects: Group projects and student collaborations are also some great ways to bring student-centred learning into the classroom. As when students work in groups they get to interact and work with children with the same and diverse mindsets, which introduces them to the presence of diversity in the same classroom. And they also get to learn new knowledge and skills from each other, they make decisions together and work together while learning individually too.

Allow Self-Paced Learning: The focus in the student-centred method is on students’ learning, so it should be the student’s decision what and how they learn things. Teachers should not force the students to learn at a fast pace just for the sake of finishing the syllabus, allow students to comprehend the concepts and learn skills at their own pace. This enables students to understand things with ease and retain their learnings for a long time.

 Encourage Self-Reflection: As we are allowing so many things to students, like decision-making, self-paced learning and collaborations; teachers should also tell students to do their self-reflection. Self-reflection allows students to sit back and look at the decisions made, and take responsibility for those decisions; it also informs students about the growth made by them in their academic and personal lives. Teachers can organize weekly or monthly meetings with students on the online teaching app to discuss all these things with them. Doing so also allows for better achievement of academic goals as a class.