What is a student-centered(SC) class for me? I thought after I learned this topic in college that I was clear about the meaning but the big question was, if I was giving a SC class in my own classroom. My answer was affirmative, I knew what the meaning of the concept was, but was I applying my knowledge to have a SC classroom, were all my activities were hands on, and perform by my students, or was I talking like a parrot, as usual, making questions and thinking that their answers, good or bad were my best SC class demonstration.
After few practices with my instructor, I discovered that I was clueless about how to conduct a SC class, what kind of activities should I use, the importance of a real SC class.
I feel that now I have a better idea, I understand that a SC class should give the students the opportunity, for example, as a pre-reading activity create a series of questions about predictions they might think will happen, then read a paragraph and take turns, discuss in a group their own questionnaire.
In conclusion, I know this is a meaningful practice that won't be easy for me to achieve, I will have to make many changes in my current teaching style, I'm still learning how to balance more the classes. When I go back to Panama, I will have to sit and plan my lesson been more aware of the type of activities that I want them to do to learn a lesson and ask myself if they have the leading role or if I always have it.
What do you feel when you think that you might want to plan lessons again? Does it annoy you? Scare you? Frustrate you? It can really be a lot of work, and many (even if they see the benefit) don't want to do all that work, especially if school administration doesn't appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteWhat barriers do you think you might face if you try to conduct classes in a more student-centered manner?
It doesn't annoy or frustrate me, but maybe it scares me a little, but it's a challenge that I would like to take and moreover after my class I would make a reflection and try to observe if I did apply activities that let my students participate and have more chance to reproduce and demonstrate understanding. For sure no one will appreciate my effort to create a useful SC lesson plan in my school system, but I will do it. As a teacher, my goal will always be that my students achieve master the language, for this reason, I need to assist them to develop all 4 skills, an I have to master a way to reflex on my own classes all the time until I find a better balance and give my Ss more protagonism, I do understand if Im giving instructions or modeling a class that I will have a TC class but, its a matter or balance what I want to achieve because certainly my class are way too much TC, and now I know that a balance is the best option.
ReplyDelete