Great Teaching/Learning

I consider the best teachers to be ones who understand that it’s o.k. to let the students hold some responsibility; it’s more of an authoritative approach than an authoritarian approach. Understanding that students are individuals who can and want to be treated as a emerging adults is key to ensuring they’ll be enthusiastic about a class, and therefore more likely to learn the material and apply outside of the classroom. For example, such an approach could entail student input regarding class rules and/or offering them a choice of topics on a larger assignment or project. That lets the student body know that their voice will be heard and understood, not ignored. They’ll feel a part of the classroom and the learning experience, not simply receivers of information from a teacher who doesn't accept student input. Ideally, that is the teaching approach I strive for.

As a student, I always had difficulty being enthusiastic about a course when the teacher didn’t seem to care about my thoughts as a student; this was especially the case as I got older and entered high school and college. Even though I knew that the teacher was the authority for the class, I didn’t think it meant that my thoughts should be ignored and viewed as insignificant. I always liked having a choice of topics to work for a project or research paper, since it was a chance to apply something I found interesting to an assignment, meaning I would be more willing and able to work on it in comparison to one that was fully assigned by the teacher, without any room for a choice of what topic to cover. I always liked it when a teacher would talk to us about setting up classroom policies, even if it was as small as asking students whether or not they thought it appropriate to raise their hand when they wanted to speak.

That challenge is one of the toughest a teacher faces: allowing the students a voice in a classroom, but still being the authority figure in that same classroom. Sometimes, in trying to treat the students with respect, a teacher may go too far and “let them slide.” They may not follow expected behaviors because they don’t think a punishment will be levied, or they may not do the necessary homework because at times because they don’t think it’s necessary. There’s a fine line between being authoritative and being “soft,” and going over that line will see the students run the classroom more than a teacher at times.

This article outlines several things to keep on mind to have a positive report with students.

Maintaining an authority requires an understanding of what expectations are and following through on them. It’s a good thing to let the students help decide the rules and regulations, but it is the job of the teacher to follow through on them and enforce necessary consequences.

Pressing questions:

1. My certification area will be in English/Secondary Ed. What is the best way to incorporate technology in that classroom?

2. In past classes, either as a student or a teacher, what strategies worked best for you?