What teachers do matters. What students learn matters. There is a bright future ahead for education and I look forward to the future. For this future to occur, this is what I believe education should be.
Teachers should teach so that all learners can learn
No matter what kind of student Is in a classroom, a teacher needs to find a way for that student to learn. No matter if a student is above average, average, or below average. The student could be in the special education population, English language learners population, or the gifted and talented population. Teach you students strategies and they will do better at the content. Teaching strategies will increase struggling student’s academic skills (O’Malley, Chamot, Stewner-Manzanares, Russo, & Küpper 1985). No matter who the student is, they have the right to learn.
Learning should be available to students whenever and wherever
If a student wants to learn at night make those resources available. If a student wants to learn by watching a video or listening to an audio recording, make that available. With the resources that technology allows for, this can now be a reality. If a student needs to be retaught multiple times until they understand the content, make that happen. It has become quick, cheap and easy to accommodate each student’s learning needs. If they want to learn, allow that learning to occur.
When learning can be applied to previously known concepts … dendrites can form (Tate 2003)
Make the learning relevant
Lessons and learning should be developed around real-world applications. Many of the jobs that our students will be starting once out of college do not exist yet. Teachers need to develop students that can think independently, but work cooperatively to solve a task. Because it will be on the test, or this material is something that you need to know for the next grade is not an acceptable answer to why do we need to know this. When learning can be applied to previously known concepts and ideas, then dendrites can form within the brain to make connections (Tate 2003). Have real solutions to real problems is how students will develop the skills necessary to be viable members of the work force.
Student are watching at all times
Be aware of what you do in school, around school, and out of school. No matter if you are having a good day or a bad day, it is not the student’s fault. Remember you may be the only smiling face or good morning that they get that day. If you are not feeling passionate about what you are teaching or doing that day, allow your enthusiasm for teaching pull your mood up (Burgess 2012).
It is your job to get your students to learn
No longer is it allowable to say that a student is unteachable, or he does not have a future so there is no reason to worry about that student. Every student is important, make sure he or she knows that. Build relationships with your students. Greet them at the door, shake their hand, and make sure they know that they are important to the class (Wong & Wong 1991). Do not give up on your students. Do not allow zeros or not completing work, because they don’t feel like it. If a student does not feel like doing the work assigned, then ask them how they would like show you that they understand the content. Find a way, there is always a way.
bring the learning to life and be more engaging.
Technology can accelerate good teaching, but can accentuate bad teaching
Technology has made the classroom no longer just the four walls in a school building. Digital tools help student learn the base knowledge quicker and continue on to the deeper, longer lasting lessons. It helps teachers bring the learning to life and be more engaging. Technology help teachers give more specific, constructive feedback sooner and quicker. If the technology is used incorrectly or ineffectively it can also be a source of stress for both teacher and students. Teachers need training in the technology tools that they are given, and follow-up of the training should be expected. Technology will not make a ineffective teacher effective.
Make connections where ever the students are
Social media is the new source of information and place of “water cooler” discussions. Students are using Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat as New York Times editorials and Dear Abby once was. It is the place that students feel comfortable discussing what matters, and showing the world what they care about. So why not use what the students are involved in to get them to learn something. If your students are already checking their Instagram and Snapchat repeatedly throughout the day, why shouldn’t your classroom instruction and information be something they see? Finding a way to involve social media into you curriculum brings a relevant tool to the student’s learning and allow the quiet student a voice.
Be open to student suggestions and new ways of showing learning
Do not restrict a student on how they show you what they know, and you will be amazed every time. Technology is a rapidly changing world and students are much more adapt and knowledgeable of these changes. Allow your students to show you what they know, in any means that they feel comfortable with. Allow a student to shine in their own light and they will sparkle. As Sir Ken Robinson (2012) said in his TED Talk, concerning a child that was having trouble in school sitting still and performing in class, “she is not sick, she is a dancer … [she] had to move to think”. Allow your students to move, create, perform, shine.
become better …
Do not ever be satisfied
Be a learner. Make your classroom a journey of learning. Where both the student and the teacher are learning. Continue your professional development or schooling. Become a better scientist, poet, mathematician, artist, coach. Show you students what you get when you put forth hard work and dedication toward a goal. Grow your professional learning network. Find a professional who you do not agree with, and open a conversation with them. Michael Dell said “Try never being the smartest in the room … find a different room” (2003). Do not ever stop becoming better at how you teach or what you teach. There is always room to grow, and it is important for you students to know this.
References
Burgess, D. (2012). Teach like a pirate: Increase student engagement, boost your creativity, and transform your life as an educator.
Dell, M. (2003). Retrieved June 17, 2016, from http://www.graduationwisdom.com/speeches/0048-dell.htm
O’malley, J. M., Chamot, A. U., Stewner-Manzanares, G., Russo, R. P., Küpper, L., & Kupper, L. (1985, 09). Learning Strategy Applications with Students of English as a Second Language. TESOL Quarterly, 19(3), 557. doi:10.2307/3586278
Sir Ken Robinson – Multiple Intelligences.mp4. (2012). Retrieved June 17, 2016, from https://youtu.be/dnnl5hmrglQ
Tate, M. L. (2003). Worksheets don’t grow dendrites: 20 instructional strategies that engage the brain. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1991). The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher.