Does school education help students learn better and expand their intellectual horizons? Research indicates that Americans merely utilize 37% of the information learned in school. There’s a misconception about schools teaching irrelevant concepts and theories that don’t help students become eligible for high-paying employment opportunities in the future. We aren’t saying that traditional education is worthless. But educators must revamp their teaching strategies to become effective teachers today.
Unless they transform their educational strategies, an instructor can’t educate children in this age of rapid digitization. So, how do teachers improve their teaching methods? We’ve described some major student-focused teaching strategies here to help modern-day educators become effective lecturers.
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Student-centered teaching strategies for instructors today
How do students normally perceive their teachers? Surveys have shown that 65% of students today state that they have a teacher who inspires them positively. And this response is primarily based on the fact that educational institutes worldwide are implementing unconventional teaching strategies. So, we suggest teachers establish a student-centered classroom where education becomes interactive and interesting. What’s a student-centric classroom? It involves academic programs, instructional methods, and educational approaches that address students’ learning needs, demands, and aspirations.
Experts consider student-focused learning the hallmark of modern-day education as it addresses students’ multiple intelligences. For this purpose, educators are now enrolling in master’s in C&I and Instructional Coach Leadership programs to maximize students’ engagement in the classroom
Now, let’s discuss some helpful student-centric teaching strategies:
1. Choice boards
A student-focused classroom enables teachers to share autonomy with students, allowing them to choose their learning method. The “choice boards” method has proven successful in engaging groups of students while learning. What does it do? This strategy serves at least one of these tasks:
- Presents fresh information
- Helps students practice their skills
- Evaluates a student’s mastery of said skills
It involves several grouped activities curated for academic progress, thereby helping students decide how they wish to cover their coursework. Students can select their desired activities and allocate a deadline to finish the project. That’s how their education proceeds in the classroom.
2. The jigsaw method
The jigsaw method allows students to combine their understanding of a subject and solve a problem in the classroom. Educators have used this strategy for centuries, but it has also undergone some tweaks recently. The educator can establish stations where students collaborate to solve a puzzle as the teacher wanders around helping students who require some assistance. This activity makes each student depend on peers to succeed. It shows students the value of teamwork and collaboration.
3. Fill in the gaps
The “fill in the gaps” strategy enables students to evaluate their learning progress and establish how they can improve their education. Hence, the teacher allows students limited time to determine their strengths and weaknesses. The teacher can ask about the concept students have grasped with more expertise. These strategies enable students to realize what they lack in terms of education. As a result, they can communicate this information to the teacher, who can help them fill the gaps in their learning.
4. The genius hour
How to prevent students from feeling disengaged at school? Surveys have indicated that 20% of our schoolchildren are “actively disengaged.” That’s why experts have fashioned a student-centered way to make students interested in their lessons. It’s called “the genius hour,” and it involves allowing the class to engage in their favorite pastimes for some time. So, students are guided by their curiosity as they do what interests them. It allows them to feel more excited about school and their education.
5. Marzano’s rubric
These self-assessment rubrics allow students to evaluate their learning progress and determine how much they’ve learned. Many “special education” educators utilize this method to help children with disabilities. With four stages of learning defined on the wallpaper, these rubrics permit students to direct their learning properly. The first level assumes that the student hasn’t understood the subject. The second level shows that the student’s struggling with the subject. Then, the third level describes how a student has understood the subject. Finally, the fourth level states that the student has become an expert. This way, an educator can correctly summarize how students have grasped the content.
6. Inquiry-based learning
This method focuses on students asking questions and finding solutions to different problems. So, a teacher refrains from asking general questions. Instead, they restrict themselves to questions asked by students. It allows every student to become familiar with the concept of evidence-based learning while they learn some crucial “soft skills,” e.g., problem-solving. So, this sort of learning enables students to become more interested in the syllabus being taught.
8. Project-based learning
Today, many schools implement PBL (project-based learning) to improve students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Moreover, experts believe that PBL teaches children the significance of teamwork and innovation. Studies have shown that project-based learning positively influences students’ engagement in the classroom while honing their attendance. As the need for “soft skills” is much higher today, PBL enables students to think critically. That’s how children today become more independent as they learn the value of creativity and collaboration.
A teacher shouldn’t ignore the importance of project-based learning since it’s one of the best student-focused teaching methods.
Conclusion
We’ve established that traditional classrooms aren’t enough to inspire students properly. Teachers have to revamp their teaching strategies by molding them into more student-focused ones. How do you make your students engaged in the class? We suggest educators integrate strategies such as Marzano’s rubric, the jigsaw method, and the genius hour into normal academic routines. It’s important to incorporate the element of inquiry-based learning in your lectures while motivating students to engage in project-based education. Teachers must also enhance their education as the learning sector is constantly developing. These methods can help educators teach students effectively and make them interested in education.
