The simple fact that this process is directly referred to as "Student-Centered Instruction" indicates its usefulness in the process of learning how to write appropriately and efficiently. Although a general set of guidelines for writing is necessary in generating proper direction that readers can understand/relate to, writing is a highly individualized process that, if ever to be original, must be unique to each of us. Student-Centered Instruction successfully emphasizes the importance of allowing the writer to explore their own capabilities and excite them to the possibilities of writing. The three key factors to the SCI approach are "(a) asking students to write often, in meaningful contexts, (b) providing frequent feedback on work in progress, and (c) requiring numerous revisions based on that feedback" (101). These practices allow students to expand their literary interests and knowledge as well as work on multiple levels with educators to pin-point areas of strength and weakness.
The SCI method makes use of workshops in order to bring in various aspects of writing such as "talking, writing, thinking, [and] researching" (104). Students are actively pursuing a complex understanding of writing beyond conveying how you feel in text. In contexts where the teacher dominates discussion, students lose depth of understanding only available when they themselves communicate learning with others. Although we are talking about learning how to write, generating dialogue about the writing process helps students work out where they stand compared with peers and allows them to share ideas.
The concept of the teacher as the coach presents an optimistic and encouraging perception of teaching and learning writing. Teachers must correct errors in a manner that promotes acceptance of creativity and contemplation of intellectual presentation. They do/should coach students along the stages of writing while allowing for creative wiggle-room and fresh understanding. Teaching writing is an ever-refreshing field of knowledge development that works most efficiently when teachers use new methods and foster excitement about the process in students.
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Mandi, I absolutely agree! I love the student-centered approach to instruction and think it's an invaluable approach to teaching. Your idea about teaching writing being an ever-changing field hit the nail on the head. I couldn't agree more. Therefore, it's important to allow students some creative license to grow as both writers and human beings! Allowing students to be creative does indeed foster excitement -- I've seen it with my own two eyes in practicum! :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMandi-
ReplyDeleteI, too, agree with your views on Student Centered Instruction! The three key factors that were mentioned are, in my opinion, essential for a student's success in the writing process. We, as future teachers, need to know how to effectively guide the students by providing them with constructive feedback that will help them further their writing even more. Like you mentioned, the teacher's role as a coach is an important aspect because the teacher needs to be able to guide the students towards the right path, while also promoting each student's unique creativity. This allows for a much happier and productive environment for both the student and the teacher alike!
I agree that all three components of student centered instruction are important. They all offer students different tools to better their writing and help them develop. I think collectively they work well together in improving students writing as well. Students do improve by just practicing writing but the feedback and revision processes makes their writing experiences that much more meaningful. The teacher's goal should be to make every writing experience meaningful and a chance for all students to grow. Teachers need to provide positive support for their students and I agree that the coaching analogy is a great one!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree Mandi! I think that a lot of my frustration with writing, especially in high school, stemmed from the lack of constructive feedback given by my teachers. Teaching writing is a two-way street, students should put forth their best efforts and teachers should provide insights and critiques in a way that guides the student to create the best piece possible. Workshopping and getting peer feedback is also essential and it is the teacher's role to facilitate this kind of environment, which is another reason the coaching metaphor is a great one because it fosters a community/team feeling in the class!
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