Reflection Assignment : Student-centred Approaches in Teaching

        Student-centred in teaching, also known as learner-centred that engages students to learn in different ways. From this approach, students will incorporate their skills and interests in their learning process. From what I understand, student-centred emphasizes each student’s abilities and interests, where students need to be active and responsible to participate in their own learning. For example, inquiry-based, project based and others. It is very different with teacher-centred learning which engage to traditional learning and teacher plays an active role in the class.

            Moreover, student-centred improve students’ skills in future. For instance, give students chance to lead learning activities which helps student to improve their leadership skills. It is also suitable for mathematics teaching because this approach to mathematics teaching that students take responsibility for problem solving and inquiry. Teacher plays a role as a facilitator by presenting problems and guiding students.

           Based on my experience, teachers are more using teacher-centred in teaching rather than student-centred. Sometimes, they also used student centred approach such as group discussion. They give problems and ask students to complete the tasks by discussing among them. Next, methods that are suitable to be used in teaching mathematic are inquiry-based learning and direct instruction. The reason I choose ‘inquiry-based learning’ because mathematics is related to problem solving, so students need to ask a lot to understand well and that will involve them in the learning. Furthermore, I choose direct instruction as a method in teaching mathematics because it allows complex knowledge to be communicated.

In conclusion, as a teacher, we need to know many methods and strategies on teaching. It is important to help teachers to illustrate the materials and presentation well. Using different teaching methods in class helps teacher to engage, motivate and reach their goal in teaching.