Joseph Eipstein, in one of his essays from the book Once More Around The Block had this to say when queried about pupils who slept in his class I allow such students to snooze away, drawing the line only at passionate snoring. I suppose I could wake them up but I dont like a scene. Besides, my reasoning is, if my students cannot arise from my class inspired, at least they will awake refreshed.
While it makes an amusing read, the truth is this if your pupils sleep in your class, either theyre doing so out of circumstances beyond your control, or, lets face it, it could be your teaching that is putting them to sleep. Many a student bemoan the tedium of classroom lessons, brought about chiefly by a monotonous and repetitious teacher.
One of the most common questions I am asked through e-mail by newly-qualified teachers is How can I become a more effective teacher?
Id suggest referring to a good book such as that written by Elizabeth Perrot.
Perrot, the Director of the International Micro Teaching Research Unit of the University of Lancaster, wrote Effective Teaching in 1982.
In it, she points out that teachers who have the best effect on their students tend to possess what are known as the Ryan Factors. These teachers have the three key characteristics of being (1) warm and understanding, (2) organised and businesslike, and (3) stimulating and imaginative.
Students dont care much for a teacher who is cold and aloof in his manner. Neither do they respond positively to teachers whose teaching is unplanned and slipshod. In addition, they abhor the dull and routine. Certainly, uniformity leads to mental inactivity, so my advice to new teachers is that you should avoid monotony, be it in the way you teach or the way you present instructional material.
A good teacher is flexible in the sense that he is thoroughly audience sensitive.
Whats the point of rushing through material when your charges arent paying the least attention? Have some sense of with-it-ness. Learn to effectively cast a discerning glance at your class to determine if they are with you.
Changing tack and adopting a fresh stance is sometimes all that it takes to tip the balance in the teachers favour. How?
As Perrot suggests, try varying the stimulus: moving about the class differently, manipulating speech patterns, using new gestures, revising interaction focus (shifting, say from a teacher-group interaction to a pupil-pupil interaction), or changing sensory channels (from listen-look-listen to listen-look-touch-do or other such variations).
Effective teaching generally follows the pattern of telling, showing and then doing. Perrot quotes a study carried out by Roseshine and Furst who found a high correlation between positive student response and an enthusiastic, organised and task-oriented teacher.
Teachers are well-liked if they are clear and succinct when presenting instruction and content. Effective teachers use fluent yet simple language. They are explicit because they tend to use varied examples and media to get their point across.
They come to class, prepared and ready, bringing along with them all the necessary instructional material they will need. Their tasks are well-thought out and assigned with the aim of providing ample opportunity for their pupils to learn.
Another good point of reference for teacher effectiveness is the Flanders indicator.
It is generally found that a teacher with a more indirect approach is more effective. Such a teacher is excellent at asking questions which prompt and probe and he is open to pupils suggestions and feelings. He frequently uses praise to encourage and motivate performance. Generally speaking, this teacher is also fun to be with and fun loving.
An excellent professor was once asked what his philosophy of education was. His reply? Id rather have my students lose in class and win out there than to win in here and lose out there.
Get the picture?
Structure the learning experience, yes, but do remember that mistakes are inevitable. Accept them as part of the learning process. And, smile. As the saying goes, A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
Have faith and patience. I have learned, through experience, that I cant expect to touch every student of mine. At a later date and in a different class, or even perhaps later in life, someone else might reach a student I couldnt.
So, you need to keep that in mind and not be disillusioned too easily. Make your teaching pleasant and engaging for now and pray that it will work out right in the end.
