For me, learning in class reflected both negatives and positives about the school concept in general. I used to find myself genuinely relishing being in class and paying attention to what the teacher had to say, but other times I used to find myself hardly trying to stay awake or be highly bored and overwhelmed. I think the thing that splits a class where everyone is involved and engaged and a class that does not show any interest is the teacher. Every child is an exceptional individual who needs a safe, supporting, and exciting environment to grow and evolve emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. As a new teacher, I welcome the opportunity to build a learning environment where students can succeed as learners and as people by developing into positive and active members of society. That's because I was once a student and realized how bad it feels to be bored in the class, and you can do nothing about it.
The teacher can do miracles to keep the students engaged without disruptive behaviors. But if the teacher is not introduced to these through some training from professionals, they wouldn't conduct them in the class. The method our education system teaches us is ineffective and obsolete because schools mainly seek to prepare students to act like machines. However, some traditional techniques can't be replaced even though others do. So, a good mix between both will keep the learning process effective and evolving around the students' needs. From my perspective, I think these things must be taken into consideration while teaching:
1. Technology can't replace teachers
Handling technology in the hands of a great teacher can be transformational to the whole learning process going around in the class. There are various options and features available when using technology that could be found in the software, websites, applications, etc. These things facilitate the teacher's work and make the students more interested in learning. However, it will never replace teachers. No matter how well the teacher knows about technology, she/he still focuses on excellent teaching and learning through some traditional methods that are the best for students.
2. A connection to the heart is more primary than a connection to the mind.
Recently evaluating sessions for a conference, the most common suggested session was "revamping" professional learning. Although the opportunities are great and the teaching abundant, I still believe there is a power when we feel a human connection to education. Can we truly change our minds if we don't connect our hearts? This is something that I always think about.
3. Techniques differ from one class to another and from one student to another
Techniques are designed through mindful self-awareness and repetitive practice after digging deep to know what is best for the students so that the teaching meets their needs. I believe this can be achieved by looking for weaknesses, striving to create a smooth and satisfying technique that permits the learners to express the ideas and feelings in the head and heart. Teachers need to acknowledge that students differ in catching up with the information, understanding the concept, and modeling skills.
Schools can teach us academically, but I feel like schools have never attempted to prepare us for essential things we require in the future; paying taxes, dealing with nonacceptance, and developing a growth mindset. Nowadays, getting a career requires creativity, criticality, and being socially skilled, yet schools still lack these essential things in their curricula. If schools are actually about assisting students in preparing for the work, why are they still not providing them with the required fundamental skills to survive in the future job position?
Another significant issue about education is standardized testing, which has become dominant in evaluating students' knowledge. Testing is essential, but it must not be the only thing we look for to check if the students are successful or not. The improvement process is one of the critical things we must focus on to see if the student is trying and putting in an effort. Testing is all about copying the notes from the notebook in one way or another.
As a new teacher, I always strive to mix both traditional and contemporary methods to teach my students and let them bring the best from within. I'm their support system and the number one motivator that appreciates their process rather than their results. I hope all teachers consider the above things while teaching, especially these days.
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