There is great satisfaction when the teaching focuses on students' needs, interests and passions. This satisfaction comes from the happy development that occurs in students' attitudes, actions and independence. They are happy to come to school each day, invested in their work and confident contributors to the classroom community. Similarly students' families are connected to the process in meaningful, thoughtful ways.
What are the vital ingredients to a student-centered teaching environment? I offer the following short list to start.
Coaching
In a student centered environment the teacher is a coach. As a coach the teacher makes it his/her aim to know the child well and respond to that child's needs, interests and passions with tailored lessons, feedback and challenges. As coach, the teacher works with the family and student to set goals, strategize learning actions and revise when necessary. The teacher-coach educates with a focus on students first and curriculum second.
Learning Design
Student-centered education depends on thoughtful, state-of-the-art learning design. Teachers who take this seriously don't teach a book, curriculum or established plan. Instead they weave standards, existing curriculum and students' needs and interests into a well-executed learning design. Further, that design includes current, researched tools, actions and information so that students are receiving the best strategies with regard to the learning goals.
Community
A move from school to learning community is essential for student-centered teaching. As a learning community, communication related to goals, actions, challenges and success are shared by all. The learning strategies, tools and efforts are typically available 24-7 for easy access and reference. Streamlined channels of back and forth communication are ongoing and everyone in the students' life is considered a member of that learning community. The classroom community is managed and run by students and educators. Family members are always welcome into the community and play a role as available. In the learning community everyone is considered a learner.
Learning to Learn Mindsets and Habits
How to learn is as important as what we learn in student-centered learning communities. Students learn about the attitudes, habits and beliefs of successful learners. Students also learn to advocate for what they need and how to be resourceful with regard to their learning quests.
Collaboration
We know that learning thrives in collaborative environments as no one person can be all things. Hence in student-centered classrooms, collaboration is always fostered in multiple ways with student learning and community building as the focus. Similarly, in student-centered schools learning collaboration is fostered through the use of PLCs (professional learning communities) and RTI in an effort to maximize resources and talent to best meet the needs of all students in a school community.
Planning and Thought
Upfront planning and lead time is essential for student-centered learning communities. Rather than an established, fixed plan, the learning community that responds to students first is managed by a guiding map and leading protocols. Protocols and maps lead a learning community by establishing best practice principles and creating a map to ensure that determined priorities are met. The flexibility provided by protocols and maps allow educators to shift curriculum details and efforts in ways that best meet the needs, interests and passions of the learners in their midst. To run a student-centered teaching environment with care means that the educators in charge stay ahead of the day-to-day efforts by planning in advance and making the time to be thoughtful, caring and collaborative about those plans.
Data
Streamlined data points bring details to the learning communities that hold potential. The data when efficient and targeted quickly points to specific needs with regard to teaching children well--this data has the potential of clearly noting who is making progress and who is not. That data also calls us to action because children who continually don't make gains demand different programs and actions, and with student-centered teaching, learning communities heed that call and make changes. Student-centered communities also understand that data is limited and it's just as important to regard students' expressed and observed needs with care as well. Student-centered teaching environments are holistic environments.
Communication
In student-centered learning communities, all professional staff work is focused on moving students forward. Hence, the communication with regard to this is transparant and shared by all. For example test scores and data points are shared by all educators. Rather than use scores as a point of punishment or reward, scores are seen as a point of reflection and action for the entire teaching/learning team. Communication streams are transparent and organized by protocols. Schedules and calendars are shared in advance and accessible as well.
The more schools move towards student-centered learning communities, the greater success we will see. The goal now is to find ways to move our schools in that direction with greater intent and success. What would you add to this list to improve the work we do?
