Promote Student-centred Teaching

Teachers may have extensive knowledge of teaching strategies but numerous challenges often prevent their active utilisation. However, there are several ways teachers can still contribute to student success. Based on my over 14-year of experiences of teaching at US colleges, I would like to explore some of these strategies in this article. Prior to this, it’s important to understand the challenges specific to Nepal. In Nepal, several barriers hinder student success, including geographical challenges, insufficient resources, lack of infrastructure, and the low economic status of many Nepali families.

Additionally, the education system is frequently disrupted by political involvement, and it remains heavily teacher-centered even today in many academic institutions in Nepal. This contrasts with the more holistic, student-centered approach found in the US, where multiple perspectives from students are encouraged and valued. Teacher-centered strategies not only delay course completion but also fail to motivate or engage students, leading to a lack of success. Many teachers rarely consider strategies to enhance student outcomes for two main reasons: a lack of knowledge about these strategies and the absence of sufficient resources to implement them.

Effective Strategies

Effective teaching strategies encourage active student participation, not only the timely submission of assignments, but also completing them properly, addressing the assignments effectively, and understanding what the students are doing and why. Classroom interaction plays a crucial role in student success, whether that be online or in-person. Based on my personal experience, providing students with personal contact information (such as a mobile number) for academic purposes allows them to seek immediate assistance with any issues related to assignments or classroom activities. While email contact is generally recommended for initial communication, ensuring that students can easily reach the teacher or making one-on-one meetings mandatory during the course to discuss students' progress and challenges improves their overall experience.

 Familiarising students with the course syllabus and online or in-person assignments through videos and other resources can also help them grasp the material more effectively. These strategies are useful for both online and in-person classes. Depending on the socio-economic and geographic conditions of the students, flexibility with assignment deadlines, coupled with encouragement to meet deadlines, strikes a balance between support and accountability. Providing prompt responses to student queries, ideally within 24 hours, helps create a supportive learning environment. These practices are explicitly discussed in the syllabus at US colleges. Utilising all available college resources is crucial for student success, but such resources are often insufficient in Nepali colleges. 

To better track student progress, instructors can encourage students to write reflection papers. These papers, written twice per semester, allow teachers to understand students’ strengths, weaknesses, and challenges, thus offering better opportunities for support and preparation.

Peer discussions also play an important role in the classroom. This practice fosters critical thinking, encourages the consideration of diverse perspectives, and motivates students to share ideas and worldviews. For at-risk students, services such as writing centres and embedded supports are invaluable. It’s essential to inform students about these resources, such as the embedded librarian programme, which offers writing and research assistance.

Unfortunately, many students fail due to a lack of awareness of these free campus resources or because these services are unavailable in Nepali colleges. At the same time, teachers must be mindful of students with disabilities. Awareness of accessibility is vital to ensure that these students receive the support they need. Disability doesn’t mean to be only physical; there might be any sort of disability a student could be diagnosed with. Engaging fully with students and addressing their classroom challenges fosters a positive learning environment. Tools like the “At Risk” section on the Learning Management System (LMS) can identify students who need additional help — something that many Nepali institutions currently lack.

Research has highlighted various challenges that students face, such as writing difficulties, classroom atmosphere, peer and teacher interactions, technological and financial barriers, and personal issues. These challenges are especially pronounced in developing countries like Nepal. Being mindful of these factors is crucial to improving course completion rates and student success. Time management support is also critical, as students often juggle multiple obligations, from family to school. Creating a connected classroom environment can reduce cognitive load and stress, allowing students to better understand the benefits of their efforts. A teacher’s ability to empathise with students’ challenges can greatly enhance their academic experience.

Limited resources 

Personal and family issues can significantly affect a student’s ability to focus. Sensitivity from instructors is crucial in such situations. The economic and infrastructural conditions in Nepal present additional challenges, with lower per capita income and limited resources compared to the US. Teachers must be aware of these factors and tailor their support accordingly. Listening to students’ personal issues and offering appropriate assistance is essential, given the unique challenges faced by Nepali families, who are diverse in terms of economic, cultural, geographical, and religious backgrounds.

Despite limited resources, schools and colleges should offer support to help students manage stress. In Nepal, the lack of facilities such as writing centres, tutoring, math labs, and computers exacerbates the challenges faced by students. Urban areas may have better infrastructure and skilled instructors, but nationwide improvements are necessary to reform Nepal’s education system. Ultimately, motivation plays a key role in encouraging student engagement. Strategies such as promoting class participation, offering flexible deadlines, and providing consistent resources can significantly improve student success. Implementing these strategies as much as possible can enhance the educational experience and lead to better outcomes for students, especially in the context of Nepal. 

 (Acharya is a writer, NIRI researcher, and professor of English.)