Reflective Journal # 5 Chapter 8

Reflective Journal # 5

This week readings focused on student centered instruction. Student centered instruction also called constructivism allows the student to be at the center of the learning process. This week will allow the teacher information on how to put the student in planning and have an effective student centered instruction.

Reflection:

During the reading this week the information was provided from Slavin’s educational psychology textbook chapter 8. In chapter 7 last week we focused on different types of instruction. This week’s focus is student centered instruction. Student centered instruction also known as constructivist theory of learning allows the student to be the forefront of lesson planning and activities. According to Slavin the essence of constructivist theory is the idea that learners must individually discover and trans-form complex information if they are to make it their own. This has to do with meeting the student where they are. As a teacher it is tough planning a student centered lesson because each student have their own way of learning, but student centered instruction usually show better results. This type of instruction usually show better results because the student will give real life information to assist in their learning process.

When working with students during student centered instruction it is always best to use Zone of Proximal Development. Zone of Proximal Development allows someone usually a peer to assist a student who may be struggling. This type of assistance is usually best because it keeps confusion and embarrassment to a minimum. In my classroom and most classrooms in my school we use scaffolding. Scaffolding is pretty much giving the student the information they need and meeting them where they are. Scaffolding allows the student to gather their information from the teacher and eventually they will have it on their own. I have heard people talk about scaffolding and mentioning it seems like cheating. Scaffolding is far from cheating as it is there to assist the students and share information that is need that they could not get. Although student centered teaching can be tough it is the best to get the students to understand as it is in their own language. There are many different objectives and strategies that can be used to effectively create a student centered lesson plan.

References:

Slavin, R. E. (2015). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (11th ed.). Boston, MA:

      Pearson Education.