Student Centered Teaching

Paper Summary:

The paper states that the face of the American educational system has been changing dramatically over the past several decades. Since the inception of standardized education in the US, the fabric of society itself has undergone dramatic changes. The paper continues by detailing that the educational system continues to promote the paradigms that prevailed since the system's very beginning. The paper reports that it can be argued that the system is in need of some dramatic changes if we are to compete in a world where globalization means coping with increasing competition. The paper explores teacher centered and student centered philosophies and expresses the opinion that that student centered philosophies benefit the student more than teacher centered philosophies.

Outline:
introduction
Teaching Philosophies and the Changing Society
Special Education and Diversity
The Role of Student Centered Education
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"There are also those that feel standardized testing leads to higher drop out rates among minorities due to social and cultural inequalities in the tests . They also feel that standardized tests lead to higher levels of cheating and a narrower curriculum than student centered philosophies . Standardized test create pressure as students and teachers allow the tests to become the primary force in their lives and the curriculum. Students depend on the tests to graduate and the pressure to pass can be devastating. Standardized testing narrows the curriculum as it becomes necessary to focus on the achievement of high scores on the exams. This can result in a reduction in learning in all areas of the curriculum. Essentialism provides few opportunities to adjust the curriculum or to adjust the methods of teaching to the needs of the child. Essentialism is based on unchangeable methods and rigid formats. Essentialism can be called antiquated in the age of the computer. This is because essentialism begins with the learning of facts. However, with the ease of data transfer now available, it is no longer necessary to carry all of the information in one's head. The emphasis has transformed from learning facts to knowing how to use the information that is at one's fingertips."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aretakis-Fredo, A. (2003). Literacy Review. Retrieved June 14, 2007 from http://ashleyfredo.tripod.com/Social%20Reconstructivism.htm.
• Bagamery, B., Laslik, J. J., & Nixon, D. R. (2005). Determinants of success on the ETS business major field exam for students in an undergraduate multi-site regional university business program. Journal of Education for Business 81 (1), 55-59.
• Bondy, A (1999) Visually us: Validating the curriculum for M ori students. Unpublished MEd thesis. VUW.
• Cliff, B. (1996). Essentialism. Retrieved June 14, 2007 from http://www.english.emory.edu/Bahri/Essentialism.html
• de Marrais, K.B., & Le Compte, M.D. (1999). The way schools work: A sociological analysis of education (3rd ed.). New York: Addison Wesley LongmanEdwards, N. (2006). The historical and social foundations of standardized testing: In search of a balance between learning and evaluation. Shiken: JALT Testing & Evaluation SIG Newsletter. 10 (1): 8-16. Retrieved June 14, 2007 from http://jalt.org/test/edw_1.htm

More papers on Student Centered Teaching:

• Analytical Essay # 24286 : "Student Centered Teaching"
• Term Paper # 135990 : "Teaching-Learning Strategies for Nursing Students"
• Term Paper # 141788 : "The Learner-Centered Design and Student Motivation"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: