National workshop on Student Centered Approaches for Science Education

Introduction to Student Centered Approaches

RTTC Kandal, January 2012

Content

What?

Why?

How?

What is a student-centered lesson?

Central position for students

Focus on students’ needs, abilities, interests

Changing teaching methodologies

Students are active, responsible participants in their learning.

Shared responsibility for learning

Students make choices in their education

Changing role of teacher

Teacher functions as facilitator and coach

Definition

• Lea et al. (2003:322) characterizes student–centered learning as:

1. Reliance on active rather than passive learning,

2. Emphasis on deep learning and understanding,

3. Increased responsibility and accountability on the part of the student,

4. An increased sense of autonomy in the learner

5. Interdependence between teacher and learner,

6. Mutual respect within the learner teacher relationship,

7. A reflexive approach to the teaching and learning process on the part of both teacher and learner.’

Why apply student-centered approaches?

• Motivation• Skills and attitudes (Communication, Collaboration…)• Lifelong learning• Individual needs• Better learning outcomes (research)

How to make lessons student-centered?

• Make the student more active in acquiring knowledge and skills

• Make the student more aware of what they are doing and why they are doing it.

• Make students more interacting with each other• Develop students’ transferable skills.

How to make lessons student-centered?

Technique Student-centered character

Flash cards Active reading & writing

3-2-1 sheets Self-Assessment

Clozed worksheets Active reading

Jigsaw technique Increased involvement

Creative writing Increased autonomy

Cornell Note Taking Transferable skills

2-minute papers Reflection

Agreement Circles Peer learning

Moral Continuum Student interests

Donut technique Transferable skills

Fishbowl Teacher as facilitator

Concept Tests Deep learning

Concept Cartoons Peer learning

Educational Games Student involvement

Criticism for SCA

• It takes more time• Not suitable for large class sizes• Not enough learning materials• Students expect teacher-centered instruction

Workshop programme

• Active reading & writing skills• Reasoning skills• Conceptual thinking• Group work activities• Educational games• Low-cost experiments• Analogies & Models• Scientific Method• Use of science posters• Integrate life skills in science

Want more?

• Available on request

– O’Neill, G. and McMahon, T. (2005)– Lea, S.J., Stephenson, D. and Troy, J. (2003)