HELPING STUDENTS LEARN

Schooling is an important aspect of education. It transcends the old system of learning. It is a standardized

arena aimed at impacting certain desired behaviors, norms, attitude, skills, knowledge amongst others in

the learners. However, the authencity of this form of learning becomes questionable, and one begins to

wonder how relevant the end result of learning is.

Students no longer deem it necessary to attend schools, rather they engage themselves in other activities

which appeal to their consciousness but which may nullify the credibility of the school system. Suffice to

say, teachers who are seen as matured minds often contribute their quota unconsciously towards

destabilizing students’ readiness to learn. Teachers often demoralize learners without knowing, this may

be through verbal and/or non-verbal communication via body gestures, postures, voice tone amongst

others. However, this may be intended or not intended, each having respective contributions towards

hindering learners’ attitude towards learning.

It is suggested that teachers should at all times allow learners the opportunity to take charge of their

learning. This the teacher does by assisting learners to learn. A teachers’ almost aim is the achievement

of set objectives. The teacher as an experienced individual should utilize means towards aiding the

learning process of the students. The psychological readiness, alertness and emotional state of students

to a great deal influence their classroom participation. An emotionally unbalance learner though

physically present in the classroom finds its difficulty comprehending the teacher’s lessons, hence, it is

imperative for teachers to relate cordially with their learners. By doing so, the teacher-students

relationship is strengthened and learners readily present their feelings which thus assist active learning

and classroom encounter.

Similarly, teachers should always visualize their growing days in the school system. It is suggested that

teachers grow alongside their students. It is obvious that teachers are older than their learners, however,

no matter the age difference, the teacher should endeavor to see himself as a learner within the age range

of his class. This affords the teacher the opportunity to easily relate with his learners, hence, their thinking

revolve around a common theme. It thus makes learning fun and as such, learners share ideas almost

immediately as it comes with their teachers since they see him as one of their peers. However, the teacher

is an experienced and mature individual, thus, he utilizes their ideas in decision making process and the

classroom environment becomes fully democratic, where ideas are presented, weighed and chosen based

on their aptness.

Teachers should also create time to play. Various educators as well as psychologists support the use of

plays in the classroom structure. Learners learn about their ever changing world through plays. Learners

find it fun and interesting when they have ample time to themselves. Teachers should not confine

themselves to their offices, they should create sufficient time to relate and recreate with their learners.

Games, activities and plays may prove productive in this regard. Some learners who are introverts during

classroom activities become extroverts during play. This presents the teacher with the opportunity to

identify the innate skills and talents resident in his learners. Hence, the teacher is able to channel his

classroom teachings in such a way that it is all inclusive. Unconsciously, students learn as they play.

The school system should be structured in a way that there exist no “over-loads” on time-table. Time-

tables should be flexible, this affords the teacher opportunities to adapt his teachings with respect to the

classroom environment. Similarly, the students are well able to re-organize their cognitive functions and

get prepared for their subsequent learnings. Teachers should be familiar with individual learner’s

disposition. The teacher should be able to read between the lines and utilize judiciously part of his time

to cater for any unfamiliar or strange learner’s disposition or attitude. The teacher should not be so

intimidated about content coverage that he neglects his learners. When teachers are obsessed with

content coverage, in most cases, learners hardly learn. Teachers are thus encouraged to utilize various

teaching methodology and stimulus variations that assist learners’ mental readiness and alertness.

Learners should at all times be involved in their learning process. Teachers should not center their

teachings on the extroverts alone in their classroom. Extroverts tend to dominate classroom discussions,

paving little or no avenue for introverts. The teacher should ensure that all learners learn effectively.

Learners learn with variety of techniques, hence, it is essential that teachers are well skilled about various

ways learners learn. Teachers should endeavor to utilize a variety of teaching methods to suit all learners

in the classroom. He should engage the learners as many times as possible and ensure that each learner

presents a report or a detail description of his contribution in the case of a group project.

The use of familiar items or apparatus should be employed by teachers. When examples are drawn from

the schools’ host communities, it becomes easy for learners to connect with such knowledge. Where need

be, the learner gets similar items and utilize such in individualized discovery learnings. Often, learners

tend to explore facts beyond what was made available to them during classroom interactions. Hence,

teachers should always ensure that their class teachings are structured in a way that probes learners’

curiosity to learn and discover new knowledge. However, it is advised that when such discoveries may

prove threatening, teachers should endeavor to ensure that the learners are guided to avoid encountering

injuries, or any other unplanned outcomes.

Similarly, learners should not be indoctrinated in such a way as to become fully attached to a particular

instructor, facilitator or teacher. It is advised that learners be prepared with an open mind concept, where

in they are able to attach passionately to the subject matter and not base their likeness on the subject

teacher(s). However, one should not under play the role of the teacher’s personality on the subject. Some

learners attribute their successes in some subjects to their respective teacher(s). Hence, teachers are

encouraged to always present a positive disposition to their subject as well as their learners, by so doing,

learners are able to eagerly anticipate how best they learn, specify the condition for apt learning and

above all engage in productive discovery learnings.