LESSON  2 - FEELINGS ABOUT  TEACHING.

My feelings about teaching at this stage in the course are mixed. If there is to be authentic learning then my way of  teaching has to undergo a lot of changes. Although there is a lot that is outside my control and which therefore will be difficult to change, nevertheless there is a lot that I can do to change the way I teach my classes.

Human beings have different intellectual strengths and minds and this has an important bearing on how people or learners learn. Some have ability to analyse information, others can solve abstract problems, others can create products , others can understand other peoples desires etc. As a result therefore, I need to take this into consideration as I teach. I have to realize that learners all do not learn the same way and must therefore identify and encourage them in those areas where they seem to have a natural aptitude or what can be referred to as their strengths

I must improve on how I pose questions and problems and then guide the students to help them find their own answers. I must change my role from that of instructor to one of a coach, mentor and prompter and just ask leading questions while they find the answers by them selves. This can be through inquiry based learning, role playing, collaborative learning groups etc.

Although in theory I know what I ought to do, It will not be easy to put it all into practice. After teaching for all these years, it’s not easy to stand aside and let students take control of their own learning. Partly it’s because this requires lots of time which may not be available because of constant schedules as also discussed by Richard Culatta. The rigid curriculum, lack of technology tools and the challenges of large numbers make this an uphill task, but not impossible.

 The solution therefore, is to start slowly with those aspects that I am already applying and build on those first. These include collaborative groups carrying out research and getting them to analyse and present their work. I will also give them leading questions to research on based on the topics at hand. I will also encourage them to participate more in co-curricular activities which would help them develop their individual passions or areas that they like. The provision for that is already there except that the time  for that is limited and I cannot increase it easily. In summary, I can say that where there is a will, there is a way and I intend to do my best.