Standard 4 - Create and maintain supportive and safe learning

 

By adopting a student-centered teaching approach the educator aims to develop motivated students who actively participate in and make positive decisions about their learning. By recognizing the student as an individual, acknowledging their interests, strengths and challenges the educator aims to create a safe environment where the student feels capable and valued. For these reasons students will be involved decision-making processes which means accepting the consequences for their decisions. Allowing the student to explore and make choices about their learning encourages meaning making and the development of the student as a whole.

 

Behavior management techniques such as positive reinforcement and reflective listening encourage students to recognize appropriate behavior and promote the use problem-solving techniques. Student-centered classroom management strategies aim to decrease the number of classroom disruptions as children develop self-management techniques (White, Draper and Flynt, 1997). The development of self-management skills will allow the child to cope with social and emotional experiences outside of their school environment, encouraging the student to advocate on their own behalf (Pereira and Smith-Adcock, 2011).

 

Nurturing an environment where the students feel capable and confident is likely to have positive implications on student wellbeing. Students are likely to develop positive attitudes towards their schooling when they are able to adapt to its expectations and demands (Petegem, Aelterman, Keer and Rosseel, 2007). The educator must also acknowledge their duty of care to the students by abiding by legislative requirements as a professional in the field. Student wellbeing is highly regarded by the educator as a strong indicator of quality education.