About the Author: Jenn Breisacher

After moving from a teacher-dominated classroom to a truly student-centered one, Jenn found herself helping colleagues who wanted to follow her lead.  In 2018 she decided to expand outside of her school walls and help those out there who were also trying to figure out this fantastic method of instruction to ignite intrinsic motivation in their students. Read more about her journey with Student-Centered World at studentcenteredworld.com/about

Learned Helplessness to Resilience: What Psychology Shows

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Image with a blurred background of smiling children sitting in a circle. Foreground text reads: Overcoming Learned Helplessness: What Psychology Shows with a website link studentcenteredworld.com.

Learned helplessness is a psychological condition where individuals, after repeated exposure to uncontrollable events, develop a sense of helplessness and stop trying to change their circumstances, even when opportunities arise. This concept was first introduced by Martin Seligman and Steven Maier in the late 1960s at the University of Pennsylvania through experiments with dogs in a shuttle box. The dogs subjected to inescapable shocks eventually stopped trying to escape, even … Read more

Student-Centered Learning Theory vs Traditional Approach

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Text on image: STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING THEORY planning for the classroom studentcenteredworld.com. Background shows a teacher sitting with children on a classroom floor, surrounded by learning materials.

Education is undergoing a significant transformation as traditional teacher-centered classrooms, where students passively absorb information through direct instruction, are being replaced by dynamic student-centered learning environments. This shift is supported by extensive research from leading organizations like the Nellie Mae Education Foundation and Education Evolving, as well as systematic reviews published in the International Journal … Read more

Lesson Plans and Teaching Strategies for Effective Learning

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In a classroom, a teacher engages students as they focus on the chalkboard. The text overlay reads, Unlock Effective Learning with Lesson Plans and Teaching Strategies, accompanied by a website link below.

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, teachers face unique challenges, including student apathy, diverse learning needs, and the demand for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. To address these challenges, educators must adopt innovative teaching strategies and create effective lesson plans that foster meaningful learning experiences. The best practices for lesson plans and teaching strategies that … Read more

Student Engagement Activities: Elevate and Engage Learning

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Student engagement is the cornerstone of effective education, especially when working with Generation Alpha, the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital world. These students are tech-savvy, and creative, and thrive in dynamic learning environments that cater to their students’ interests. To ensure student success, educators must implement student engagement strategies that foster … Read more

Teacher-Centered Versus Student-Centered Learning

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Blurry golden lights overlay with text: A Comprehensive Guide to Teacher-Centered Versus Student-Centered Learning, highlighting the dynamic contrast of both educational approaches under a banner reading Student-Centered World.

The debate between teacher-centered versus student-centered instruction continues to shape modern educational practices. While both aim to support the learning process and improve academic performance, they diverge in philosophy, structure, and outcomes. The traditional teacher-centered method positions the educator as the primary source of knowledge, responsible for transmitting educational content to students. In contrast, student-centered … Read more

Student-Centered Learning Examples for the 21st Century

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Text on a blue-bordered image reads: STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING EXAMPLES: Transforming Education for the 21st Century. studentcenteredworld.com. Below is Student-Centered World showcasing real-world student-centered learning examples with students actively engaged in projects.

In recent years, education has undergone significant shifts, moving away from the traditional teacher-centered model toward more dynamic, student-centered approaches. This transformation is driven by the need to prepare students for the complexities of the real world, where critical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively are essential. Student-centered learning places the student … Read more

Open-Ended Prompts for Student Behavior: Effective for Use

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A teacher sitting in a classroom, wearing glasses and a striped shirt, is engaged in conversation with students. Text overlay reads: Open-ended prompts for student behavior. Effective strategies for use. Student-Centered World.

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, fostering a classroom environment that encourages student success is a top priority for educators. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by incorporating open-ended prompts for student behavior into your teaching strategies. These prompts not only promote critical thinking and creative thinking but also help address challenging behaviors and build strong connections with students. To put … Read more

The Best Teacher Supplies for School Classrooms & Learning

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Every school year, teachers take pride in creating an inspiring learning space for their students. The right classroom supplies can transform your room into a dynamic, student-centered environment. From bulletin board sets to flexible seating, research shows that thoughtful classroom decorations and layouts significantly impact student engagement and success. Instead of searching for “teacher stores … Read more

Easy Brain Breaks for Kids in the 21st Century Classroom

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Stacked stones by a rocky shoreline with waves. Text reads Brain Breaks for Kids in the Classroom on a purple banner. Website: studentcenteredworld.com.

Many educators wonder, “What are brain breaks in the classroom?” Brain breaks are short breaks that give students (and teachers!) a chance to reset, recharge, and refocus. Research shows that students who take movement breaks perform better academically, manage stress more effectively, and stay more mindful. Brain breaks are short, intentional pauses during tasks that offer significant … Read more

Teaching Gratitude in the Classroom: Activities and Practice

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From our earliest years, we’ve been taught the importance of being thankful, yet as educators, we often overlook integrating this powerful practice systematically into our teaching practices. The field of education increasingly recognizes gratitude not as a seasonal sentiment but as a foundational element for creating strong relationships, fostering positive attitudes, and enhancing academic success on a daily basis. Teaching gratitude in the classroom is … Read more

Classroom STEM: How to Integrate STEAM Activities for Kids

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Four children sit around a classroom table, engaged in a STEM activity. They use robots, electronic components, and apples, under a banner reading, Incorporating STEAM into All Classes.

Classroom STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or STEAM (which includes the Arts) education has gained significant momentum in recent years. This interdisciplinary approach fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills…essential competencies for the real world. Why STEM Learning Matters A STEM classroom is dynamic, student-centered, and often noisy because students are actively engaged in … Read more

3 Common Teaching Mistakes & How to Avoid or Fix Them

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Image of a red wooden background with text in the center: 3 Common Teaching Mistakes in Full Student-Centered Instruction and a website link studentcenteredworld.com. A teal border frames this insight into avoiding common teaching mistakes.

Transitioning to student-centered learning represents one of the most significant paradigm shifts in modern education. Whether you’re in your first year of teaching or have years of teaching experience, this shift can feel daunting. Many educators, whether new teachers or veteran teachers fall into three specific common teaching mistakes when trying to move away from … Read more