The relationship between teaching and learning style

Many teachers forget that students learn differently.  At times students get frustrated because of this neglect and suffer while learning various subjects.  Here is a reminder of the way students learn by looking at the diagram below.

As one can see, students choose at least one style of learning that will allow them to form concepts from content given.  The learning style of students for one subject may not be the same for the learning of another subject.  The same would be for the teaching style of the teacher who adjust his teaching style based on the subject that is needed to be taught.

It is important that teachers should try to use a model to assist them in understanding how to teach students with diverse learning styles.  Marzano, R., et.-al, (1997) spoke of the Dimensions of Learning that our teachers should be acquainted with.  The diagram below suggests that our students start with the perception of learning; attitudes and perceptions, and end with habits of mind.  Combining Marzano, the various teaching and learning styles, good teaching and learning environment can be established.

Many of our teachers need to remember that they were once students and should recall the fun and challenges they had in learning from their teachers.   Therefore, with that in mind, I am asking our teachers to be mindful of the students they teach.  Not all students can adopt the exact style their teachers had learnt and thus teachers should remember that each student has his own unique way of learning.

A simple style of writing an essay

Essay writing has always be an activity that is constantly viewed as a burden by many high school and college students.  Sometimes, the best of students suffer with poor grades due to poor technique in putting their words together.  I had learnt a simple technique that I believe can help persons in writing good essays using a basic principle.

 

 An essay is usually in three sections.   The first section is called the Introduction. This consists of introductory sentences that have several important points. Here is an example of  points about a  car; The has one steering wheel, four tires and two headlamps (these points will be used later).  The second section is called the Body. This section is used to give additional information on each point.  By using the points in the introduction, each point becomes a paragraph within the body.  It means that the point on the steering wheel can become a paragraph; the point on the tires can also be another paragraph, which means that the final point will be on the headlamps.  In other words, the body can have several paragraphs. The more information you have for each point, the longer the paragraph.

The final section called the Conclusion summarizes the essay. This forms a nice ending to your work, making it complete (summary about the car would be nice here). It is useful for one to have a good grasp of the language before writing any paper.  Also, it is good to have knowledge of the topics that you write about!  When the essay is complete, please read over the work to ensure transitions, good content development/presentation of information and good use of vocabulary. It is good to use language to match the audience you are targeting thus keeping them interested while they read. 

Happy writing!

Smart Phones in Schools

The twenty first century has come with a whirl wind of improved technology which has made its way in the classroom.  The cellphone now has become an interesting teaching tool more than the actual instructor.  Already it is hard for the traditional teacher to hold students' attention.  Now, with the electronic rival, the traditional teacher's position has become less prominent though still important.

What is clear to me is that the educational administrators in some countries need to find ways to incorporate the use of smartphones in class.  This is where the water gets murky,  Many of the students who are great consumers of the cell phones have found creative ways in using them that is not truly educational.

Many of the students do:
1. snap shots of students doing not so good things and post them.
2. pornography shoots.
3. graffiti shots.
4. cyber bullying
5. texting or making calls in class
6. Facebook posts that are unbecoming of a studious person.
and many more!




But the positives of the smartphone out weighs the bad and if a good teacher is honest, when the device is incorporated in the lesson, the combination makes good learning environment that can be exciting to both teacher and the learner.

It is important that teachers do their best to be current.  Where I am, many of  the older teachers shy away from the use of the smart phones and label students as being distracted by the gadgets.  I guess when one is accustomed to having "chalk and talk" and not updating their  teaching styles, they will become intimidated by anything that removes them from the sole  instructor.  The thought of sharing  instructional role in the classroom seem to reduce them to a lesser role is too much and as a result, they resist changes. This gives room to the younger "hip" teachers to take charge of the classroom integrating the smarter cellular phones along with the face-to-face interaction.

Even though the phones are smarter, no none cannot take away the direct effect a good teacher has on an interested student.  More teachers need to update their teaching skills and make use of the technology available.  There is a need to understand the technology trends and how much they impact on students learning.  It is important to do so or else teachers will find themselves obsolete!

Teaching, An Interesting Job!

Teaching is one of the most interesting jobs one is blessed with.  It is so awesome because the responsibility of teaching lies in the hands of the instructor.  What a task!  Teachers are responsible for:

1.  preparing the classroom to be a productive and safe learning environment.
2.  using the set goals and objectives that are achievable for the students.
3.  using and presenting content in a manner that is memorable for the students.
4.  creatively integrating the use to structures, strategies and techniques that can facilitate the sharing of content to student
5. ensuring that students enjoy their lessons so that the recollection of what was taught is accurate.
6.  giving students opportunities to share their knowledge and skills to their peers.

I know that there are persons out there who may not agree with some of my points, but these are some of the methods used that are found to be very effective.

The best part of teaching is to see the eyes of the students flicker with responses that indicate their level of comprehension of what was learnt.  That flicker for me is absolutely priceless!

 Make teaching fun, even with the most challenging set of students and you might learn to enjoy your job much more that before!

Happy Teaching!

Briefing on Setting the Right Classroom Environment!

As teachers prepare to return to the classrooms, students will return with the memories of Christmas immediate past! The reality of school is closing in like a runaway train and sometimes for some students, this elevates their stress levels.  Others are dying to return to get back to reality and that is earning good grades to further get closer to the personal academic goals they have made for themselves.

Teachers should try their best to ensure that the environment of learning must be good, conducive, accommodating and most of all stimulating.  The students would like to feel a sense of purpose in their classrooms, therefore, our teachers should already made changes to give the students the feeling of belonging amongst their peers.  Below I have a list of suggestions that came through peer conversations of teachers who experience after Christmas Blues of their learners:

     1. change or improve the decor of the classroom (painting, curtains, false windows if there are  
          none).
     2. upgrade, change or buy new visual aids in the classroom.
     3. change the classroom seating bi-monthly creating an element of surprise.
     4. include new structures, strategies and techniques in teaching styles to facilitate more student
         participation during classes.
     5.  improve on assessment to make it more student friendly without dropping standards.
     6. play musical interludes (electronic device) of a classical nature at certain times of the day (after
         lunch or PE class).
     7.  bring in a resource persons on certain subject matter to help generate continued interest in a
          subject or content within a subject.
     8.  DRESS NICELY TO HOLD THE STUDENTS ATTENTION!  Students really do love when
          their teachers look nice!
     9. finally, at the end of a term give them an "apprentice" style activity that will always leave a
         mark on their minds and having them actually missing school when they are on holidays.


For more on this or clarification, please contact me on lysdave@yahoo.com or lysruds@gmail.com.  I will be more than happy to share my perspective on the matter.

Helping to Build Students' Confidence

As a teacher for many years, I have found that students, like us, need to feel confident in what they do. and say.  The classroom is a breeding ground for the building and sadly the destruction of confidence and self worth.   Our students are from different socio-economic background where concepts of school are developed.  as a result, they come with preconceived  ideas as to how learning should be.  Depending on their backgrounds, so come with self esteem that is ideal, but there are others who come as almost empty shells of human beings.   Therefore as teachers we need to be careful in how we handle our students.  We can either make them or break them just be our actions.

As teachers, we should be careful of the things that we say to our students.  We have to ensure that we  study the classroom setting and out for the following:

1. poor eye contact
2. lack of clarity in speech
3. momo-tone in conversation
4. use of lines in drawing (hard or soft)
5. poor interaction in class
6. lack of speed for work
7. silence
8. limited work

These signs and many more are indicators that something is emotionally imbalanced with the students.  Therefore, as teachers, we must recognize these signs and try to rebuild confidence by the way we utilize structures, strategies and techniques in our teaching practice.  Here are some suggestions that were used by other teachers which have yield results in the rebuilding of confidence and self esteem in students:

1. assigning manageable roles
2. errands
3. grade them for class participation
4. use them as positive examples before the class where it is warranted. 
5. mastery learning (to build conceptual understanding of content and skills)
6. rewards for improved work
7. include them in competitions to represent their school
8. ensure visits at their home and talk with parents
9. invite them to church and positive value building functions
10. expose them to a career expo or a college open day
11. field trips

There are more but what is important is for teachers to recognize that students have delicate emotions and must be taken care of by teachers who help to cradle their emotional development.  Our role as teachers is not an easy one and just as we expect other teachers to look after our children, we should do the same for the students we teach!  Watch what we do and say, listen more, notice the signs and act on them after confirmation of a behavioural theory. Let us build a community of confident students so that after graduation they will help to create a workforce with individuals with confidence and self worth.

How Should Students Keep the Minds Occupied During Holiday Breaks?

There are simple tips one should adhere when gone away from school:

1.  Read appropriate newspaper clippings or articles to help improve communication and thinking.
2.  Do puzzles, quizzes and problem solving games to develop reasoning skills.
3.  Be involved in activities that help to develop reasoning skills and logical thinking.
4.  Limit the amount of television shows and computer games used unless they reinforce good             learning.
5.  Listen to good music at a medium frequency that will not affect your hearing in the later years.
6.  Help family members and friends in activities that will help build good self esteem
7.  Go to church or a place of worship and be in tune with your spiritual and moral side and allow it to grow.

As a teacher, I find that students return from long breaks not having a sense of readiness for school.  Many have had problems adjusting and as a result, their learning outcomes are negatively affected

Parents and guardians, for this Season, ensure that your children are gainfully occupied.  The mind is a lovely soul that always needs something to keep it active.  Therefore feed that soul with positive activities.

Happy Holidays!