Student-Centered Classroom: Teachers as Promoters of Active Learning

Description

Concept by Ilaria Barbieri

This course has been created for teachers who want to learn more about managing an effective and up-to-date classroom that encourages participation and engaged learning using the latest techniques.

Through interactive activities, participants will learn how to promote a student-centered learning environment. Student-centered methods have been proven to be superior to the traditional teacher-centered approach to education.

Student-centered methods sustain both students’ autonomy and cooperation. They also facilitate short and long-term memory, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and motivation. 

By the end of the course, participants will not only have acquired more knowledge about student-centered approaches, but they will also be able to take away ideas about practical, innovative solutions to apply in their classrooms.

Learning outcomes

The course will help the participants to:  

• Choose practical solutions to encourage students to solve problems, formulate complex questions, debate, explain and brainstorm during class;
• Manage and evaluate teamwork while students are involved in cooperative projects and problem-solving tasks;
• Support students in facing challenges and in learning by doing;
• Theoretical knowledge and practical skills about new methods such as the Flipped Classroom, Project-Based Learning, Problem-Based Learning, Case-Based Instruction, and Discovery Learning.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Course introduction

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Going back to the individual, supporting cooperation and responsibility.
• Presentations of the participants’ schools.

Day 2 – Teaching styles

• Differentiated Teaching and Effective Learning; 
• Student pre-assessment and needs analysis.

Day 3 – How to involve students

• Solutions, strategies, and methods to involve students.

Day 4 – How to evaluate students

• Evaluating students: teacher-, peer- and auto-assessment;
• Providing feedback, rubrics, and portfolios.

Day 5 – Implementing motivation

• Motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic; 
• Integrating motivating tasks into your lessons’ serious games. 

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.