Student-Centered Assignments (TSI 2020)

Student-centered instruction is a shift from traditional teacher-centered instruction. Students are asked to direct their own learning with guidance from an instructor to work independently or with other students on research projects and assignments in which they have the agency to choose topics culturally and socially relevant to them. Learning is cooperative, collaborative, and community-oriented. Students become self-confident, self-directed, and proactive.

Assignments, when given with proper guidance (scaffolding) and a wide variety of quality examples, are unique, thoughtful, and often connect the student to the coursework in delightful and unexpected ways.

In an online setting, this has the added benefit of making academic dishonesty both difficult and unappealing. Students are most likely to cheat when they see the assignment or course as an unpleasant obstacle to their goals. Creating an assignment where they have more agency shift the responsibility of relevancy to them.

**Scaffolding is a support structure that only exists until it is not needed. As teachers, we know our students must move on in their education and careers without the full support of our classroom. Our success is measured by their ability to leave us and thrive.

Table of Contents:

00:38 - Introduction
03:08 - Why do this?
03:47 - Exercise 1 - Course Goals
05:48 - The Student Perspective
06:46 - Interview 1 - Physics at Home with Pam, Lorenzo, and Miriam
08:24 - Interview 2 - Arts-Based Sociology with Cherice and Laura
15:39 - How to Implement a Student Centered Assignment
17:25 - Exercise 2 - Assignment Transformation
23:59 - Exercise 3 - Assignment Goals
27:09 - Exercise 4 - Scheduling, tips and strategies
36:32 - Exercise 5 - Rubrics
48:18 - Examples: Sociology Projects
49:39 - Examples: Physics Projects
01:00:18 - Final Thoughts
01:01:50 - Credits