LA Teachers Chatboard

next post

skip topic

Print | Share | Report Post

Re: student-centered vs. teacher-directed learning
Posted by Vincent Miholic on 9/21/08

While the comparison/contrast list is fairly accurate, a few words of
caution, the source misses the mark in substantial ways, to the degree
that it is actually misinformational since the writer doesn't fully
understand the juxtaposition of differentiation and how it is applied to
GLES.

A few indicators of how the argument is errant [my comments are bracketed]

[The following statement appears to be a fairly accurate criticism, but
it's really spurious. The benchmarks and GLEs are merely that, learning
expectations and objectives, they are not inconsistent with using student
centered approaches. If a teacher knows what he or she is doing, any of
the standards layed out in the comprehensive curriculum can be approached
using student-centered devices. The two, objectives (what) and
pedagocial approach (how), are not mututally exclusive or diametrically
opposed!]: "And it is ironic that the grade level expectations and
comprehensive curriculum are both teacher-centered in that the state has
determined in detail the content to be taught and has set parameters
regarding how it will be taught, but the state then calls on teachers to
do that in a student- centered way."

[On this next argument, agreed, but many will use this as an excuse to
not deviate from direct instruction; notice the use of "group" rather
than recognition of the individual, so the writer refuses to acknowledge
that while some group processes are useful, especially in practice, and
that there's little recongnition that each student may demonstrate
success, individually, in a variety of ways. "Good" is ambiguous. The
effective teacher is able to balance the need for expediency, moving
through the material, yet employing individualization as much as
possible. The problem is most teachers refuse to engage in this
responsibility, arguing they don't have enough time.]: "What the good
teacher does is find the best path for the group of students he or she is
teaching. The good teacher uses teacher-centered learning when best and
student-centered learning when best and realizes that it doesn't have to
be either/or."

[This next statement is spurious, exaggerated, and misses the point
entirely. Student directed means, very simply in the most literal sense,
that students are allowed some choices as to how they may demonstrate
performance. There are multiple means to getting at an end. The younger
the child, of course, the more guidance in helping a child recognize his
or her options is warranted.]: "But it is perilous to presume that young
children can direct their own learning and that they don't need a solid
structure and a solid foundation before they start making decisions on
how and what they will learn.

[This next statement is also a spurious conclusion. In fact, if teachers
use different approaches, particularly those that move toward processing
information rather than memorizing or regurgitating it, students are more
likely to better understand and deeping imprint details for later use.
Learning theory is clear on two fronts, we learn by connecting known
information to new information and the degree that teachers can tap any
particular students life expereinces to connect new information, the
better of the student is going to be, and secondly, the more the student
deeply processes information, thinks about it, applies it, maniputates it
in novel ways, the more the student will retain and comprehend.]:
"This is all nonsense in fact when we start with state-driven mandates
of what will be taught and how it will be taught and end with state-
mandated tests that assess learning. There must be a focus on teacher-
directed learning in such an environment."

Lastly,

Now student-centered learning is the new big thing in education.
[Linguistically, anyone who uses "thing" in writing instead of a specific
noun reveals some amibiguity in thinking. Do you mean pedagogy, research
finding, strategy, theory, philosophy, tactic, means, evolution...?]

RESPOND TO THIS POST START A NEW THREAD RETURN TO CHATBOARD




Posts on this thread, including this one


• Comp Curriclum redesign, 3/04/07, by sasha.
• Re: Morehouse Parish will obey those orders., 3/04/07, by Don't you wish you knew?.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign, 3/05/07, by Beth Meyers.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign, 3/15/07, by Sarah/LA.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign - Sarah/LA, 3/15/07, by Michele LA.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign - Sarah/LA, 3/15/07, by oh yeah.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign - Sarah/LA, 3/16/07, by Michele LA.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign - Sarah/LA, 3/18/07, by HS Teacher.
• Re: student-centered vs. teacher-directed learning, 3/19/07, by oh yeah.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign - to Michelle, 3/21/07, by Sarah.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign - to Michelle, 3/21/07, by 8th Grade Teacher.
• Re: Comp Curriclum redesign, 4/11/07, by Sarah/LA "the original".
• Re: student-centered vs. teacher-directed learning, 9/21/08, by Vincent Miholic.