My learning experience as a learning facilitator: a road towards understanding teaching
Prior to being a learning assistant, I didn’t have a full understanding of what being a teacher meant. Like others, I had the misconception that a teacher is a person older than you, wiser than you and with the authority to teach you what you need to know, in terms of academics. I never really saw myself as a teacher. I have done tutoring before, but I also lacked the understanding of what facilitated learning meant. As I reflect back on my experience as a learning assistant, I realize that teaching doesn’t have to follow the traditional way where an adult teaches a student. Anyone can teach regardless of age. However, the ability to effectively teach is a different matter. Teaching is like an art. Realistically, not everyone is born a good teacher. One must know how to teach effectively, but most importantly, teaching others in a way that is enjoyable. It is because of this that I would like to address what creates effective teaching and the levels that constitute a solid and beneficial teaching environment.
Initially, I would like to mention peer discussion. Personally, I don’t really like peer discussion because of previous experiences that I have had in some of my social classes. Most of the time people are too shy to speak and there is always that 30 seconds interval of awareness. Interestingly, peer review in my science classes is always better. Most of the time I think
As teacher’s we are committing to a life time of learning and development of ourselves and our learners.
I have taught students ranging from five years old to nineteen years of age. Hence, being an educator, I have learned that learning is always shifting, therefore I must keep improving with the incessant changes. As a little girl, I have always dreamt of being a teacher and I have carried out that dream. My career journey started as a substitute teacher, a floater between classrooms, an assistant teacher, a teacher, a center supervisor, and an educational supervisor. I presently work as an Educational consultant for Danya International LLC. As an Educational Consultant, I able to review and aid with the learning environment of teachers and educational management in a school
Teaching is an extremely important profession as we are responsible for training up the future generations of our community, country and in effect, the world. In order to be a successful and effective teacher there are some basic skills and competencies that one must possess. The experiences that students have inside (and outside) our classrooms, schools and various other institutes will shape and mould their approach to our subjects and to life in general. Therefore, it requires a certain level of skill and training to be deemed professionally fit to enter into this career path and even then, continuous
As a future middle school teacher, I know I have much to learn. I have to learn how to effectively make engaging lesson plans that meet the academic standards of my content, I have to educate myself on how to efficiently and promptly determine all of my student’s different learning styles and motivation, and I have to learn how to professionally build classroom management and a safe classroom environment, while still developing a sincere relationship with my students. However, of all the things I still need to learn, there is just as much that I have already learned which has helped build and strengthen my beliefs on what I believe a middle school teacher is and my responsibility as such.
Much of the class seems to be primarily discussion-based, and the emphasis on talking with my fellow classmates about subjects such as racism, white privilege, sexism, homophobia, and other social issues helps create a very productive environment in which these topics can be discussed openly and with maturity and respect. The method of having students talk to other, individual classmates before the class as a whole reconvenes for discussion allows me to express and refine my thoughts about the readings, assignments and activities from class while also getting to know more about other students on a more personal level. I believe this has been invaluable in helping me learn because it establishes a sense of trust amongst students and creates a
Successful teaching occurs when the teacher is able to select the most efficient method for reaching out to each student’s individual style of learning and inspire students to rise to their highest potential. While the responsibilities of a teacher are extensive (as one can serve as a teacher, a friend, a counselor, a disciplinarian, an entertainer, a facilitator), I believe that students should play a big part in shaping own education as well.
I learned quickly that being an effective teacher is an art that takes time and devotion. Many times, teachers are not provided with the necessary materials in order to maintain the various learning styles in a classroom. It is up to the teacher to create an environment where students can succeed. This is a full time job, meaning that a teacher’s work is not done once they leave the school. A teacher must contribute a significant amount of time and effort in order to see positive results in the school and in his or her own classroom. After observing my cooperating teacher’s strategies and learning more about the profession, I knew that I was going in the right direction with my life. I took a significant amount of knowledge away from this experience and have continued to strive to be the type of educator that I was blessed to work with during this experience. .
How does a student learn? Are they best impacted through hands-on activities, technology-centered lessons, elaborate discussion, or oral assessments? Learning has always been challenging for me. I have to come up with many different learning styles to understand even the simplest concepts. The learning styles I have used in the past have made me a better student. Since I had to work extra hard at learning, it made me want to teach others those unique learning styles even more. A large range of learning strategies has accompanied me throughout my schooling. I now want to teach kids that they too can come up with their own learning strategies and become whoever they want to be. Hard work and dedication allows every student to create their own future and gain a quality education.
This week, the author sat down with a seventh grade special education student to gain insight on how he feels about his learning and overall educational experience. The student’s name is Nate, and he has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) with goals in the areas of reading, writing, math, and behavior, and he has been diagnosed with ADHD. Nate was a new student to the district in August and was adopted within the last year. Since the teacher-student relationship was newly developing, the author staged the interview in a very informal manner. The student and teacher sat across the table from each other and simply chatted back and forth. The author also presented the interview to the student as an opportunity for the teacher to get to know him better since he was new to the district.
My philosophy of teaching is deeply rooted in nurturing the potential each and every student in my classes. Providing a creative environment that allows self assessment, growth, group interaction and mentorship are at its very core. Having taught in Higher Education for many years, and as an instructor of Media Arts and Animation, and Game Design, I have had the amazing opportunity to work with some of the brightest and creative young professionals. Teaching has not only broadened my love of art and exploration, but my determination to help students that do not have the confidence to persevere through their education, yet have the passion to follow their dreams.
I vividly remember and most appreciate professors that connected theoretical content of a lecture to their daily practices and experiences. Professors that shared experiential knowledge, allowed me to gain deeper understanding of the content and practical applications. This combination allowed me to quickly implement new practices in my classroom early in my teaching career and tools early in my management career. I hope to be a higher education educator who makes experiential connections and adds a practical dimension to my classes through the incorporation of real-world experiences. I believe this will allow future teachers to walk away with practical tools and knowledge to better provide students with a 21st century education. Providing experiential and theoretical knowledge will support teachers’ professional and academic growth by increasing their overall knowledge.
Within an integrated curriculum, the planned learning experiences provide students with a singular view of commonly held knowledge and encourages students to develop new relationships between knowledge and skills. It cuts across subject lines and creates a focus on creating a comprehensive related overview of study areas and brings them together to create a curriculum that is meaningful (Lake, n.d). The education system has changed during the 21st Century, due to developments made in science and technology areas, living standards and expectations of people. As life conditions continue to change, so do people’s views of the world and their needs(Acisli, Yaclin, & Turgut, 2011). Learning must build upon current concepts, abilities and skills, use meaningful contexts, concepts and skills to achieve explicit learning outcomes (Bybee, 2009). Learners needs are diversifying and teachers need to use an integrated curriculum and inquiry learning tools to meet the needs of all students.
When I think about teachers that I have had in the past, several different ones come to my mind. Each of these educators stands out in my mind for a variety of diverse reasons. Whether it is their sense of humor, their tactfulness, their love of the subject matter, their fanatical and sporadic behavior, or their yearning to be childish themselves, I can still remember at least one quality of every teacher I have ever encountered. Every one of these teachers conveyed subject material to their students just as they were educated and employed to do. However, I trust that every professional in the world has an abundance of opportunity for improvement; teachers could discover and improve themselves merely by having
Being a teacher is not an easy task as many people could think. To be a teacher does not only imply to know the subject to be taught, it also includes being willing to constantly improve oneself integrally, as much as updating the resources and materials one uses in teaching. Reflecting and analyzing over and over again the best way to teach to learn and how to make students to extend what has been learned. The many hours spend in the classroom will never be enough to plan lessons, prepare materials, review pupils tasks and exams, as well, all the administrative requirements one has to cover for whatever institution we work. Besides all this a good teacher, a professional one, will have to find the time to keep preparing to improve
Not a tertiary-trained teacher, life experiences along with formal training during 20 years of military service involved working with young adults combined to provide an interesting mix of different methodology, using a mix of ideas, methods, and unorthodox motivators. There are few experiences in life better than watching people achieve something new for the first time. Young learners are sponges for information (as well as pre-learners) and given the right motivation, they seem to be capable of almost anything. Passing down the passion is about passing down to the generation. Educationalists see in their leaners tiny reflections of themselves and educationalist are teaching their passion. There are many diverse kinds of Educationalists in the world and most educationalists have a passion. They recognize all the potential for greatness that lies in the generations. Therefore, educationalists desire to pass down what they know best - the love for learning, (Leslie, I. 2015).