As an institution, military education would seem to be something other than student-centered. Individuality may seem to be discouraged, with “service before self” being seen as the highest value. In other places along the continuum we have explored the role of the teacher and his or her capacity to be student-centered even in contexts that do not appear to have the individual learner as a central focus. Is it possible for an individual instructor or officer in a military school or for an entire … [Read more...]
A Continuum of Educational Context and Styles
There are various educational practices that embrace the notion of student-centered education. A good way to picture this is to think of a continuum with the least directed, most learner-driven forms of education at one end, and the most ordered and authority-directed forms at the other. Broad Context of EducationLeast directed, Learner-Driven <---------------------------------> Most ordered, Authority Driven Schools School Districts Individual Classroom Forms Range of … [Read more...]
6 Perspectives and Qualities of a Student-Centered Educator
What defines a student-centered educator? Is it enough to know the book, to know the drill, to know the test, to know the system, to know what the administration expects? We think not. A student-centered educator will manage this while saving his or her best energy for observing, appreciating, and considering deeply the one unique learner who sits before him or her, hoping to be understood.What else does it take to be a student-centered educator?The following is a set of perspectives and … [Read more...]
The Need to Move Beyond Curriculum Standards and Traditional Educational Models
A room full of students is not the same as a room full of children. Typically when we consider a child as a student we have already narrowed our point of view. “Student” is a partial identity, occurring only in the context of classroom and education and leaving out many critical aspects of who the learner actually is.In our more expansive view, however, a teacher gazes out on the rows of faces in a classroom and is immediately confronted with the fact that the children in front of her are … [Read more...]
Engage. Inspire. Learn.
Soon after coalescing around a name for their new initiative, NISCE advocates found a tagline that they hope will help them engage educators, parents and students in conversation and will inspire all of us to look closely at what must be present in our schools and classrooms for effective learning to take place. Drawn from an instructional model that is at the core of Schools for Children’s own diverse schools, the new tagline “Engage – Inspire – Learn” leans heavily on the critical importance … [Read more...]
