Students actively participate and are involved in their own knowledge acquisition in student-centered classrooms, like the ones we have at Astor International School. Students participate in real, all-encompassing, and demanding experiential learning via teamwork and cooperation with others. Students are given the freedom to build new knowledge from existing knowledge. Teacher-centered classrooms on the other hand are where the teacher presents information to the students, who are supposed to passively absorb the knowledge being delivered.
When new knowledge is presented through higher-order thinking activities, it encourages deep learning. To fulfill the requirements of all students, classroom teachers at Astor are ready to provide a range of learning opportunities. This is because each of us creates our own meanings about various topics, challenges, and difficulties.
Converting the classroom into a collaborative space
In a traditional classroom setting, the teacher speaks while the pupils pay attention. In a classroom at Astor, where the focus is on the students, they speak, the teacher observes, joins in when necessary to help the discussion progress, and then acknowledges them for collaborating. Students develop a sense of community as a result of being actively involved in their education and given opportunities to socialise. More significantly, students are made to understand that their thoughts, values, and feelings are what really matter. When students are the main focus here, teachers also serve as a facilitator in addition to being an educator.
Establish trust and open communication
Without trust and open communication, there cannot be a student-centered learning environment. Building trust and promoting open communication with students requires being consistently fair to them, listening to them, and giving them space to speak. Seems like a difficult task? Indeed, it is. And it might not occur immediately. However, at Astor, we get going right away at the beginning of the year, so it is much simpler to create a classroom that is student-centered. Beginning early in the academic year establishes the tone and informs students of what is expected of them for the remainder of the year.
Exploring methods of technology integration within the classroom
The key to creating a student-centered classroom is involvement. Students will get more interested in the learning process if you are able to involve them in any activity or project. One of the finest tools now available for engaging students in learning is technology. Children interact with technology, especially mobile technology, throughout the whole day. Give students the opportunity to discuss, analyse, and share content utilising internet tools. When given the option to incorporate modern internet tools and technology into the learning process, students become eager, passionate participants in just about any learning activity.
Create leaders within the classroom
A great way to establish a learning environment that is focused on the needs of the students is to allow them the opportunity to lead in the classroom. This strategy promotes involvement and development and provides students with the ability to direct their own learning. Even if the task requires advanced knowledge. Next, rotate children through the leadership positions so that each student has the chance to direct an activity.
Engage students in their performance review
The foundation of the student-centered learning environment is a type of narrative feedback that motivates students to keep studying until they can show they have mastered a subject. At Astor International school, students are encouraged to submit tasks again and continue on projects with drafts until mastery is attained via this method of learning, providing feedback, and evaluation.