Dictionary defines it
as imparting knowledge and to instruct someone as to how to do
something. We as human beings have evolved doing this art to perfection.
The teacher in todays context has been accorded with all the rights that
are connected with imparting knowledge. Its the elderly ones who always
get to play the role of a teacher. Starting with parents, we have the
teachers in schools, elders, the process takes a metamorphic turn as the
existing student turns teacher by virtue of ones own age. They all tend to
believe of having influenced everyone they teach. Though teaching is such
a noble deed, sadly, we do have to digest the fact that teachers are often
bucketed into good and bad. There are teachers who inspire, connect and
kindle interest while others do the exact opposite. Rarely does one places
a thought on the what, how and why of teaching, different competencies,
traits that make up an inspiring teacher. After researching, interacting with
many teachers and learning from self-experiences, Creatnet Education has
tried to facilitate a frame that introduces us to different competencies that
are inherently present in those teachers who connect, kindle interest and
are inspiring.
Children tend to learn every minute. They learn as they walk, they learn as
they talk, they learn as they observe everything they see. They learn from
the environment. In fact environment is the best teacher that never forces
anything on to the children and lets them learn at their own pace. Be it the
feel of touch, fear of fall or the joy of love, it forces nothing. And the
children all by themselves slip slowly into the caring hands of mothernature that continues to nurture them while they learn. The children have
been connecting with the environment all this while. This connect helps
the children to build the element of trust that further influences their
learning. Add a pinch of anger; distrust into the very same environment
the equation changes instantly. Children start to fear, run away and hate
such environments and these environments now become unfavorable for
learning. It is this connect that helps children to progress on the path of
learning. Such is the importance of connecting with children. The
connection that builds with trust if once established, facilitates the
learning of the children in a natural way. Once the connection gets
established and builds up the trust, the child and the facilitator both
become vulnerable. The same can be applied to a teacher as well. The
teacher can never influence the learning of his/her children unless she
establishes this connect. Seen from a teacher's perspective it is this
connect that sows the seeds of learning in children.
Framing of Objectives:
Methods of Teaching:
The facilitator once after establishing the connect with children is always
in a situation that could influence the learning of the child. By framing the
right objectives he/she can always initiates that process of directed
learning. It is the method that he/she now follows comes to his support in
catering to diverse set of children. Every child learns differently. It is the
method that facilitator chooses will enable him/her to cater to every child
individually thus customizing the approach of learning. The facilitator has
to be in the know of different innovative methods of approach that can be
used as intervention in classroom transaction. Just to give an example
differentiating the classroom not only serves as reaching out to every child
at individual levels but also as an effective method to improve the learning
of children. Following current trends in technology might also come in
handy as children generally are exposed to digital appliances through
various mediums. A facilitator might be using different methods in
facilitating learning but being cognizant of it on how effective the applied
method is, pertaining to a child's learning can be a game changer and is
something that always has to be kept in mind.
Learning to Learn:
As I have earlier discussed this is just one frame to look at and I do agree
that in different connotations there might be many other competencies a
teacher might possess. But it would be interesting to see that how
effectively any competency you would talk about gets easily
accommodated in this frame. Be it curriculum aspects, be it managing the
class, team work, punctuality and what not can all be seen from the frame
I have presented. Understanding this not only helps us learn but as
discussed would also creates a significant shift in the very image of
teacher competencies.