Tuesday, September 13, 2011

How to "Teach For The Future"

How do we, as educators and future educators, teach for the future?  How do we ensure that our methods and practices we are using and plan to use in the future will be successful and create a positive learning environment for our students?

In my personal opinion as a mom and educator, I feel as though one of the most important things to do as a teacher is to be open to change.  Our students and classrooms are in a constant state of flux.  Our students lives are more hectic and mobile than ever before.  Our personal lives are ever changing and evolving daily into new and exciting adventures.  Trying to stay in the same state of mind and with the same pedagogy throughout ones teaching career is essentially setting one's self up for failure. 

While methods which have proved to be useful should be brought over into future lessons and plans, teachers need to be aware that eventually the method may not work anymore, or it may not simply work on an individual.  Students have different learning styles and as teachers we need to be aware of these styles and teach to the student.  Gone are the days where educators could just stand at the front of a classroom and lecture.  Our children today need more stimulation and expect more out of their educators. 

How is a teacher going to compete with a video game that has a child's attention?  With today's graphics and animated action, a regular classroom lesson and textbook can seem boring and easily lose a child's attention.  By incorporating action in their lesson plans and energy into their teaching, a teacher stands a greater chance of reaching her students faster and with much greater success.

So how do you feel teachers should relate to their students?  Do you feel that a teacher should only stand and lecture?  Think about your favorite teacher in school, whether in elementary or high school.  What did you like about that teacher?  What didn't you like?  Most likely you enjoyed a teacher who engaged you and brought the lessons to life. I know I personally enjoyed teachers who took the time to get to know and understand me and who helped to make the time I spent in a classroom fun and exciting.

Thought of the day:  A child is merely a smaller individual.  They are learning new aspects of moral behavior everyday; shouldn't you positively influence their lives?  Shouldn't you encourage their love for learning?