Introduction
“Those that can, do. Those that can’t, teach”. This simple proverb from George Bernard Shaw’s “Man and Superman” is often quoted in modern times, denigrating the hard work of teachers from preparatory grades right through to the highest academic institutions. While it is true that almost anyone can teach in the true definition of the word, being an effective teacher is a much harder proposition. A truly effective teacher has a wide pedagogical skill set, along with the knowledge of when to apply it, an awareness of their students in terms of their needs and abilities and an understanding of the curriculum and its aims. This essay will review some of the critical prerequisites of an effective teacher.
Student Foundations
The foundation of effective teaching comes from having an understanding of the “Facets of a Student” (Whitton, Barker, Nosworthy, Sinclair, Nanlohy, 2010 p.108) as these external factors play a major role in how a student learns. When planning an effective lesson, the content cannot be considered in academic isolation. The interpretation and implementation of the curriculum must take into account the unique combination of the class: their age, gender, socio-economic climate, cultural/religious beliefs and ideals. The teacher must also consider the overall student body in regards to the number of students, their learning styles and their abilities. Lyons refers to this as the “Ecological Perspective... to remind us that when dealing with children, the individual with his/her immediate environment is also influenced by a broader more complex environment” (Lyons, 2011 p.41).
Failure to recognise critical facets can lead to a student having a negative net result from a lesson. An example ...
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...ons are used towards the end of each activity, to help relate the activity to the student's everyday experiences and for social constructivism and scaffolding.
Conclusion
As outlined in this essay, there are a variety of skill sets that help make a teacher more effective. Each skill on its own provides new value to each lesson, but it is when these skills combine into a lesson that a teacher truly becomes effective and stands above those that meet the more literal definitions of a teacher.
Works Cited
Colburn, A. (2000). Constructivism: Science educations "grand unifying theory". The Clearing House, 74(1), 9-12. http://search.proquest.com/docview/196881181?accountid=10382
Davies, P. (Producer) & Whitehouse, K. (Presenter). (2012). Knowledge & understanding of the world [Video File]. Retrieved from: http://www.schoolsworld.tv/node/2065?terms=644
All teachers have the responsibility to develop skills and qualities in their pupils that are beneficial to their lives and the lives of others. Works Cited Quinn, D (1995), Ishmael, Bantam/Turner Book Publication. United Nations Educational (UNESCO 1995-2009), Scientific and Cultural Education, Education for Sustainable Development. Available at: http://www.unesco.org/en/esd/ (Date accessed 21/12/09).
Wallis, Claudia. “How to Make Great Teachers.” Time Online. 13 Feb. 2008. Web. 16 March 2011.
Teacher knowledge has always been the basis to an effective learning experience. Without a knowledgeable teacher, students are not able to receive a quality educational experience. This pillar encompasses the influence teachers have on student learning and achievement, possession of research based knowledge, and effective teaching practices. I thrive to be educated and knowledgeable on the information presented to my students. By having a variety of teaching techniques that work and I use often in my classroom, I am able to mold my instruction around student needs and provide efficient and
Van Der Stuyf. R.R. (2010). Scaffolding as a Teaching Strategy. Adolescent Learning and Development. Section 0500A, November, 2010. Retrieved from http://www.sandi.net/20451072011455933/lib/20451072011455933/RTI/Scaffolding%20as%20a%20Teaching%20Strategy.pdf
In Jeremy Polk’s article, Traits of Effective Teachers, he mentions ten characteristics of effective teachers. Those ten traits are, “good prior academic performance, communication skills, creativity, professionalism, pedagogical knowledge, thorough and appropriate student evaluation and assessment, lifelong learning, personality, content area knowledge, and the ability to model concepts in their content area” (Polk, 2006). Polk understands that these are not the only traits that effective teachers will showcase, but it is the start to a list of highly important qualities (Polk, 2006).
Applefield, J M, Huber, R, Moallem, M 2001, ‘Constructivism in theory and practice: Toward a better understanding’, High School Journal, vol. 84, issue 2, p35, 19pp
In a society where kids must go to school up to the collegiate level, teaching is an impactful career choice. Teachers help contour the minds of future leaders of the world. Furthermore, teachers play a crucial role in guiding students to the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to succeed in life, and teachers lead students to make informed decisions on any topic the meet in the future. As a teacher, a person must relinquish their knowledge onto students. Finally, they must prepare their students for all the obstacles they will face later in life.
Question: Discuss in detail ways that teachers can set up the learning environment in order to maximise teaching and learning, and the advantages and disadvantages that belong with such implementation.
In order to give myself and my students the best chance at success in the classroom I will attempt to find out as much as I can about each one of them before I set up the learning environment. Current and comprehensive information on students’ likes, dislikes, experiences, skill, understanding and development is imperative to create the best possible learning environment (Daniels & Perry, 2003). Communicating openly and often with stakeholders to help gather good information requires positive collaboration with families, staff and most importantly the students themselves. Frequent, targeted assessment before, during and after learning also provides data that supports the design of teaching and learning experiences offering each student opportunities to be challenged and moved forward (Koppang, 2004). Although time and effort are necessary to obtain this information, it may help to prevent mismatched or misdirected teaching efforts that waste valuable resources, contribute ...
...n essentials that teachers should undertake to help maintain a healthy constructivist classroom. It is important to hold a belief that learning is restructuring of thought rather than an increase in content, and reconstruction or recall will reflect that particular ‘schema’ of the child. They also believe that the use of cognitive conflict promotes the consolidation of concepts. The use of ‘wrong’ answers also helps students analyse their thinking in order to retain the correct elements and revise their misconceptions. Promoting social interaction, peer friendships and co-operation, also increases their interest and comprehension in learning, as well as improve the child’s conflict resolution skills.
Through exploring multiple learning theories and reflecting on my own teaching beliefs, I have developed my own theory of learning. As I developed my theory, I wanted to consider what it takes to be a highly effective teacher. An effective teacher must have mastery of instructional strategies, classroom management, classroom curriculum design, and use assessments as feedback (Laureate Education, 2010a). By using a variety of instructional strategies, teacher’s can meet the learning styles of all the students in the classroom. Effective classroom management can lead to students feeling safe and more willing to take risks. When a student feels comfortable to take risk, then learning will increase and the students’ confidence will grow. Classroom management also creates order in the environment, which will allow effective learning to occur. By understanding curriculum, the teacher can target skills and causes learning to take place. Teachers need to deliberately plan lessons around standards and specific goals based on curriculum and the school’s mission (Marzano, 2010). Assessments need to be use to guide instruction and used as a “method for improvement and mastery,” (Marzano, 2010). While determining my own theory of learning, I believe that I need to consider what effective teachers demonstrate in the classroom.
As I reflect on the past four years at Virginia Tech, I am fortunate to have had the opportunities to work two semesters in classrooms and learn first-hand about children, teaching, and how I fit into the profession. As I prepare to move to the next chapter of my formal education, I realize that I am no different than the students I worked with. As a teacher, I will become a life-long learner by learning new techniques and experimenting with different teaching strategies. How can one become an effective teacher without constantly reflecting on what works, what doesn’t work and collaborating with colleagues. I recognize that teaching is no small undertaking but I am confident I will remain dedicated to the profession with my genuine enthusiasm, positive perspective, compassion, and zeal for learning.
Classroom management is a key element to establish a successful learning environment in any classroom. An effective classroom management plan creates a positive learning environment. Classroom management is affected by the characteristics of the students and their behavior. Students’ behavior is influenced by their age, academic abilities, goals, interests, and home backgrounds (Evertson, Emmer, and Worsham, 2006). Teachers need a diverse array of classroom management skills to facilitate learning. A classroom with a proper management plan will spend less time in disciplining and more time in learning. Students in effectively managed classrooms know and follow clearly defined rules and routines. A classroom management plan should provide for several important factors that influence proper discipline in the classroom (Edwards, 2004).
My teaching career has been spent learning how to provide appropriate support, guidance, patience, & understanding, as well as to enhance academic growth & success, for all students. My purpose as a teacher is to enrich and inspire the lives of young students with moderate/intensive needs by providing access to information instead of functioning as the primary source of information for students to flourish. My teaching methods will be to create an environment ripe with opportunities for discovery and exploration which will allow all students to learn at their own pace, generate questions and construct knowledge, while providing hands-on practice of skills in authentic situations as well as to make learning intriguing and meaningful to all students. Carefully planned and constructed learning environment will also allow the teacher more time to meet the individual needs of each student. Another important factor to a well-prepared learning environment is to facilitate learning, and providing students with balance and consistency (2004). Young students require a balance between various classroom dimensions, including activities guided by the teacher and independent work, quiet work and active work, gross motor and fine motor activities, and open and closed aspects to the curriculum and classroom materials (2004). Consistency is also a required condition for learner success. Schedules (daily and weekly), the enforcement of classroom rules, and student expectations should not be in flux but remain consistent. Without a sense of consistency in the classroom, school life would lack the necessary feeling of safety and reliability young children need to focus, to take risks, and to t...
My approach towards education is that each student ought to have the privilege to learn and get a quality instruction. Each child that enters the classroom ought to feel sheltered and in a friendly environment. It would be a domain loaded with sustaining and enhancing. An instructor ought to know about his/her understudies ' passionate, social, mental, and physical advancement and also their psychological development. To this end, an instructor ought to view parents and group individuals as natural protectors in the instructive procedure. They give a motivational system to every learning opportunity. Mostly, connection inside the community provides vibrant, multicultural encounters to youthful personalities. The individualized instruction is