| CREDO Oct. 17 |
| Role of Teacher The teacher must provide opportunities for students to have �first-hand experience� with the phenomena they are studying. This means activities such as group work in which students act out the aspects of the phenomenon, and the building of models that actually show the function whatever the model recreates. The typical is model is stagnant, useful only as a memory aid. The key with these activities is to make the processes under examination become real to the students. A teacher must have thorough and deep understanding of the subject matter, as this will allow that kind of understanding possible for the students. Such a teacher can convey to students that the purpose of school is to gain understanding and appreciation, not to score high on tests. The teacher must stress that school is only the beginning of learning, not the end. A good teacher will give much attention to the needs of individual students. Having preconceptions or expectation of student behavior or performance can be useful before one knows one�s students, but these must be replaced by what the teacher learns about those students. Teachers should not be put off if a student is having difficulties with the material. This situation is really an opportunity for the student and the teacher to learn more about the way they communicate ideas. The teacher will see what is his/her own approach is working for that student and what is not. In working with that student at an individual level, the teacher will gain new insights about how that student learns. Although I believe it is very important to match one�s teaching style with the learning styles of one�s students, I am skeptical about how much this can be by a teacher that has several class with more than 25 in each. I think the ideal lesson is one that allows each student to be an active factor in a representation of a particular concept. This lesson must not be merely for introductory purposes or �for fun,� but must direct or allow students to a greater understanding of the concept in question. I realize now that teachers must play an active role in the development of students� feelings of responsibility to others. I used to be fairly skeptical about what effect a teacher could have on his/her students; I didn�t really think students listened to teachers in this respect. For me, this changed after having seen several teachers that students do listen to. I now plan to uphold and attempt to pass on the caring and respect that we value so much in society. Connecting with one�s colleagues is crucial for good teaching. At one level, teachers must communicate their ideas about teaching and learning and should form a sort of net around the students of a school. Of course, teachers can also learn a lot from other schools, especially through the new perspective that teachers from �outside� can provide. At another level, teachers should work to integrate their classrooms. (See more under �Environment.�) A good teacher is one that is very tuned-in to what happens in the classroom. He/She must look for the effects of the classroom situations he/she creates. This is how the teacher will learn about the students and about his/her own approach. Being observant must be connected to being flexible. A teacher that finds his/her classes aren�t working out must find reasons for this in his/her own approach. Every student can be reached by the proficient teacher. |