What Teachers Gain from Student-Centered Learning

Supporters of student-centered learning understand the significant advantages it offers to students. However, the positive impact it has on teachers might be less apparent.

While comparing student-centered and teacher-centered learning, it's crucial to recognize that what benefits one doesn’t necessarily disadvantage the other. Teachers' goals often align closely with students’ interests.

In reality, student-centered learning can be incredibly empowering for educators. Let's delve into how teachers can gain considerably within a learner-centered setting.

A Changing Role for Teachers In recent years, educators have faced numerous challenges, especially with the pandemic. Teacher well-being has become a primary concern for schools nationwide.

In this context, the pursuit of student-centered learning initiatives urges educators to reconsider their work and self-perceptions. A study exploring teachers’ roles in student-centered STEM classrooms revealed that this transformation presents both challenges and opportunities.

The report delved into how STEM educators adapted to implementing a student-centered approach. Those who aligned well with the new methods found it gratifying and fulfilling as educators.

However, educators who primarily viewed themselves as content deliverers faced a more complex transition. They needed to reassess their identities and career paths. Despite the challenge, many became advocates for this transformation.

It's important to note that some teachers, based on their perceptions, naturally lean toward student-centered learning. If that aligns with you, fantastic! If it feels more daunting, remaining flexible and open-minded can help navigate potential obstacles for long-term benefits.

Benefits from Students’ Self-Directed Choices Implementing more student-centered learning strategies, including self-directed activities, in classrooms can offer valuable insights for teachers. These activities enable students to choose what they study, how they learn, and how they share their discoveries. For teachers, paying attention to these choices can provide a deeper understanding of learners' needs, resulting in heightened student engagement and smoother classroom operations.

In these activities, students might decide:

· The texts they study.

· Their learning approaches.

· The materials they use for sharing their findings.

An article on Edutopia emphasized the significance of student choice across grade levels. Creating opportunities for students to choose classroom jobs, workspaces, reading materials, and handle unstructured time fosters engagement. Offering flexibility in options connects students more deeply to their environment.

Increased engagement stemming from student empowerment in decision-making could mean less time spent managing behavior and more constructive interactions between teachers and students.

Insights from Edtech and Learners Leveraging technology to support student-centered learning facilitates personalized learning experiences. Technology aids students in receiving individualized support and offers diverse opportunities for self-directed choices.

Moreover, students often have innovative ideas about integrating technology into classroom instruction and asynchronous learning—an invaluable perspective for teachers.

Develop Engaging Lessons with Technology in Mind An Edutopia article highlighting popular technology frameworks in classrooms introduces the PICRAT model, focusing on passive, interactive, or creative use and replacing, amplifying, or transforming learning. Teachers are encouraged to understand both their and their students' usage of technology. Allowing students to choose tech tools encourages creative utilization.

Teachers aiming for more engaging lessons that promote innovative technology usage can foster an environment emphasizing originality, innovation, and discovery. Such values cultivate intrinsic motivation, reducing the need to persuade students to engage with key concepts.

Insights from Student-Centered Edtech Data Many student-centered edtech tools offer teacher dashboards that provide valuable insights into student behavior. This information aids teachers in identifying and addressing learning gaps.

When students use technology to explore their curiosities, teachers with access to these platforms gain deeper insights into students’ needs, aiding in refining instructional practices.

Student-Centered Feedback Loops In a student-centered learning environment, students’ voices and choices matter.

An article on Edutopia encourages educators to envision feedback as a two-way conversation between learners and teachers. Just as students require feedback for growth, teachers benefit immensely from direct student input.

Reciprocal feedback benefits both:

· Building rapport between teachers and students.

· Providing teachers insights into what materials and opportunities will best support their students. This firsthand information helps teachers plan effectively and understand what students feel will be most beneficial for their learning.

Listening and Learning Together When comparing student-centered learning and teacher-centered learning, it's evident that their benefits often complement each other.

While the shift to student-centered teaching may pose initial challenges for some educators, embracing the advantages it brings can be transformative. Implementing student-centered strategies can drive student engagement, improve classroom dynamics, and create effective and enjoyable learning opportunities for both students and teachers.