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Dr Dennis FrancisCommonwealth Education TrustBeing a Teacher

Course 2: Being a TeacherWeek 1: What is a teacher?Lecture 1.1: What does a Teacher Do?Foundations of Teaching for Learning

All teachers have some theory of what teaching is when they are doing it, even if they are not explicitly aware of that theory...

Gow and Kember, 1993 cited in Biggs and Tang, 2007, p.15.

What is teaching?What is the role of a teacher?Teaching is a process intended to support learning by inducing a change in the person taught.

Teaching is an art of communicating a message that will have impact on your audience.

Pedagogy is the art or profession of teaching.

Connecting my teaching to their learningIf my students have not learned, how can I call myself a teacher?

I said I am teaching him, not that hes learning.But he is not throwing it.I am teaching Spot to throw a frisbee.What makes a teacher good and what makes a teacher not so good?Good Teachers and Bad TeachersGood teachers

Students perceptions of Good and Bad teachersAre helpful and supportive

Take time to explain material in depth

Are friendly

Understand and know the subject well

Use a variety of teaching style and innovative approaches

Are fair and have equal standards and expectations of pupils, regardless of test scores

Bad teachers

Are mean and unfair

Are unwilling to help or explain material and ideas

Are judgemental of pupils parents and siblings

Are unwilling to changein their teaching methods

Are disrespectful of pupils

Are unsympathetic to pupils personal problems

Are intimidating and verbally abusive

Students perceptions of Good and Bad teachersWhat makes a good teacher?Helps us feelPart of the classProtects our rightsAnd prevents namecallingIs fair and consistent,Treating everyone equallyIs approachable ifWe have a problemHelps us with our Work even outsideLesson time Believes in youGives interestinglessonsExplains things clearlyTreat us with respectAnd as individualHelps us if we make mistakesKnows our nameHas sense of humourDoes not make fun of usIf we get things wrongShows an interest in us andWhat we do outside schoolIs ready to be flexible and acknowledgeMistakes if he makes anyIs prepared to acknowledge He does not know everythingThe environment for learning is developed by:

The Task of the Teacher Setting the environment for learning

The way in which we set up the classroomThe way we ask questionsOur ability to find the teachable moment

Teachable Moments

A teachable moment is an unplanned opportunity to recognise what is happening within the class to make connections and to extend and rich learning Teachable moments can happen anywhere, any time and occurs when the student:

is receptive is open to learning is actively seeking information

Examples of Teachable MomentsWhen a student asks a questionWhen the student demonstrates knowledge that has been acquired formallyWhen the student makes a provocative statement, such as, This always happens to me.When the student expresses misinformation or lack of informationWhen a student expresses a need for changeWhen you are performing a procedure or giving treatment

When you have a teachable moment consider, the environment, who is present, and your approach to the students openness.

How does it look and feel?Is it an inviting and stimulating environment?What do you think of the dcor, materials on show, your desk, students desk and student and other pictures on the wall?Is it well laid out?Could it be improved?What is good about it?What is lacking?Establishing a Classroom Environment

The Task of the Teacher Clarifying ObjectivesClarifying Objectives

Setting realistic goalsIdentification and clarification of associated objectives:knowledgeskillsdispositions

The Task of the Teacher Motivating StudentsCreating materials and activities to arouse interestEngaging in goal setting with the studentsUsing rewards and (sometimes) competitionProviding students with knowledge of their progress

The Task of the Teacher Sequencing Subject MatterOrganising what will happen in the year, in the term, each weekOrganising different classes during the dayOrganising activities of each class in a way that will encourage students learningConnecting new knowledge to the outside world

The Task of the Teacher Understanding individual differencesConsidering Individual Differences means:

Being able to recognise and understanding differences in your classroom such as:Gender, race, culture, language and social class

The Task of the Teacher Providing for individual differencesDoing something about individual differences means:

Taking account of ways in which students background impact on how they learn

Trying to group students in ways that will maximize their learning

Using resources that are appropriate to the range and differences among your students

Make a list of all the things that you have do as a teacher. Ask your colleagues to add to your list

Out of your long list pick what you think are the ten most important things that teachers do. Think about how you might get better at doing these things.Some things to do next

Course 2: Being a TeacherWeek 1: What is a teacher?Lecture 1.1: What does a Teacher Do?Foundations of Teaching for Learning

Dr Dennis FrancisCommonwealth Education TrustBeing a Teacher