Much like we strive to individualize patient care, we must strive to create a learning environment that will not only benefit the group as a whole but will also take into consideration the learning needs of each individual student. A recent paradigm shift has inspired 21st-century nurse educators to rethink traditional, teacher-centered curriculum designs and teaching strategies. Nurse educators are now being encouraged to create a learning environment that embraces new ideology associated with concepts of student-centered learning.
It goes without say, that student’s will enrich the uniqueness of the classroom by bringing forth cultural diversity, varying life experience, and intelligence. Recognizing that not all students learn in the same manner will allow me to develop a multitude of teaching strategies that will offer each student the ability to succeed. Student-centered learning environments should consist of the ability to engage students in learning and encourage students to reflect on what they are learning as well as how they are learning it. An effective nurse educator will not spend an entire class session speaking directly at the students; rather, focus on engaging the students in active conversation and learning activities that promote problem-based learning and the development of critical thinking skills, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment.
As an educator, promoting self-efficacy is important. Students should be made to feel equal partners in the learning process and should feel safe expressing their ideas, experiences or concerns. I feel it is important to allow students to learn through trial and error but to be readily willing and able to guide them in the right direction by providing constructive feedback without passing judgment or making them out to feel inferior or incapable. Additionally, educators must be observant of each student’s progress and be willing to continually re-evaluate and refine teaching strategies in order to enhance the learning experience.
I am a strong believer that students learn by observation; therefore, it becomes important for me to be a role model for my students, to lead by example, and to exude my personal passion for the nursing profession. I take pride in my ability to be approachable and open-minded, as well as being a good listener and effective communicator, and feel that this will help to promote teamwork and collaboration and will show the students that I am genuinely interested in their success. Overall, I hope to create an environment where the students not only learn from me but where students can learn from each other and where I can also learn from the students. By nurturing and instilling the aforementioned qualities within the learning environment, I feel it will allow students to grow in their ability to provide quality and compassionate care to their patients.
It goes without say, that student’s will enrich the uniqueness of the classroom by bringing forth cultural diversity, varying life experience, and intelligence. Recognizing that not all students learn in the same manner will allow me to develop a multitude of teaching strategies that will offer each student the ability to succeed. Student-centered learning environments should consist of the ability to engage students in learning and encourage students to reflect on what they are learning as well as how they are learning it. An effective nurse educator will not spend an entire class session speaking directly at the students; rather, focus on engaging the students in active conversation and learning activities that promote problem-based learning and the development of critical thinking skills, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment.
As an educator, promoting self-efficacy is important. Students should be made to feel equal partners in the learning process and should feel safe expressing their ideas, experiences or concerns. I feel it is important to allow students to learn through trial and error but to be readily willing and able to guide them in the right direction by providing constructive feedback without passing judgment or making them out to feel inferior or incapable. Additionally, educators must be observant of each student’s progress and be willing to continually re-evaluate and refine teaching strategies in order to enhance the learning experience.
I am a strong believer that students learn by observation; therefore, it becomes important for me to be a role model for my students, to lead by example, and to exude my personal passion for the nursing profession. I take pride in my ability to be approachable and open-minded, as well as being a good listener and effective communicator, and feel that this will help to promote teamwork and collaboration and will show the students that I am genuinely interested in their success. Overall, I hope to create an environment where the students not only learn from me but where students can learn from each other and where I can also learn from the students. By nurturing and instilling the aforementioned qualities within the learning environment, I feel it will allow students to grow in their ability to provide quality and compassionate care to their patients.