Is your Classroom Student-Centered or Teacher-Focused?

Student-Centered

Teacher-Focused

Students make videos and presentations which Teachers watch.

Teachers make videos and presentations which Students watch.

Students redo work until they reach mastery.

Students routinely “fail” even daily assignments. The only feedback is the final grade.

When formative assessments are given, every Student responds.

Teachers “call on” Students and take their answers as a representative of the class.

Students work more than Teachers.

Teachers work more than Students.

Students understand how the work they do leads to mastery of the objectives.

Teachers determine what work Students do and do not communicate about the objectives.

Students practice more than Teachers.

Teachers practice more than Students.

Students learn how to think by working through complex problems and making mistakes along the way.

Teachers work through complex problems on their own (mistakes are hidden) then present the solutions to Students.

Teachers encourage students to view learning as a skill they are developing with the Teacher’s assistance.

Teachers believe students are those who lack knowledge which it is the student’s job to master in any way they can.

Students make decisions about their learning at times choosing the mode of learning and the products that they create.

Teachers make decisions about every aspect of the student’s experience in the classroom.

Students work together to determine classroom policies.

Teachers determine classroom policies and deliver them to students.

Students and Teachers learn from each other.

Students learn from Teachers.

Students work collaboratively.

Students work independently.

Students work collaboratively; when technology is implemented, one device per team is optimal when students can learn face to face.

Every student must work independently; when technology is implemented, it must be at a 1:1 ratio even if learning is face to face.

Student-owned devices may be used for learning.

Student-owned devices must be stored or stowed during learning.

The Teacher’s job is to construct learning experiences for Students.

The Teacher’s job is to maintain order and convey information to Students.

Students speak more than teachers.

Teachers lecture and students listen.

Students have a say in what and how to learn and in how to assess their own learning whenever possible.

Teachers “cover” content and assess retention.

Students learn “soft skills” like communication strategies in addition to the curriculum.

Teachers address social or emotional needs as behavioral issues.