Thesis Reflaction - Teaching Methods Employed in Key Skills

According to research and discussing with teachers and lecturers, the methods of teaching today are student centred. This is a broad subject and can be explored in depth, but here I am going to just scratch the surface so that I am able to understand what is this type of method used and why it is used. Keeping this information in mind it will probably help me designed a better educational game, but without falling into the trap of false gamification mentioned in earlier posts.

“Student-centred instruction [SCI] is an instructional approach in which students influence the content, activities, materials, and pace of learning. This learning model places the student (learner) in the centre of the learning process. The instructor provides students with opportunities to learn independently and from one another and coaches them in the skills they need to do so effectively. The SCI approach includes such techniques as substituting active learning experiences for lectures, assigning open-ended problems and problems requiring critical or creative thinking that cannot be solved by following text examples, involving students in simulations and role plays, and using self-paced and/or cooperative (team-based) learning. Properly implemented SCI can lead to increased motivation to learn, greater retention of knowledge, deeper understanding, and more positive attitudes towards the subject being taught” as Collins & O'Brien cited in (Froyd & Simpson, 2008, p. 1).

A brief summarisation by Lea Et Al as cited in (O’Neill & McMahon, 2005, p. 28):

• “the reliance on active rather than passive learning,

• an emphasis on deep learning and understanding,

• increased responsibility and accountability on the part of the student,

• an increased sense of autonomy in the learner

• an interdependence between teacher and learner,

• mutual respect within the learner teacher relationship,

• and a reflexive approach to the teaching and learning process on the part of both teacher and learner.”

Further exploration of each individual subject will be needed in order to understand how teachers handle and manage to teach step by step, starting from the very basic, their subject since it is what the game will be doing alongside with the teachers lectures.

References

Froyd, J. & Simpson, N., 2008. Student-Centered Learning Addressing Faculty Questions about Student-centered Learning. [Online] Available at: http://petersj.people.cofc.edu/CCLI/PDF/Student_Centered_Learning-FacultyQuestions.pdf [Accessed 18 January 2017].

O’Neill, G. & McMahon, T., 2005. STUDENT–CENTRED LEARNING: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR STUDENTS AND LECTURERS?. [Online] Available at: http://www.jfn.ac.lk/OBESCL/MOHE/SCL-articles/Academic-articles/14.SCL-2.pdf [Accessed 18 January 2017].