The Ability of the Teacher to Understand the Students and to Relate with Them in the Learning Process - Essay Example

Case analysis Name Institution Improved part 1 My first time attending an actual class was one filled with anxiety and emotions. I had never taught before and the thought of how the students would react on seeing me created many hypothesis and theories in my mind. I thought of many strategies that I would employ in understanding the class based on those answering questions quickly, inquisitive students, silent students and students with varied characters. The goal was to know how the class behaved in general and individual characteristics so that I would approach the entire teaching process effectively. The ability to understand the different types of students including their behaviours was important so that I would be able to manage the class effectively. Such an understanding would help me address the needs of the sharp students in the class and those that needed more attention to ensure that all students gained from my teaching. My aim during the first lesson was not to teach but see how the students behaved and how the students approached the learning process. I decided to use an interactive approach of a debate to understand the behaviour of the students. I entered the classroom and after the normal introductions, I sought to know how many students knew about sports. How many of you have participated in sports? Can you name a sports person you know whether local or international? Do you like sports? These were some of the questions I asked in order to assess the responses of the students and their behaviour in the classroom. A half of the class raised their hands each time a question was asked but I realized there was a group of five students who were busy talking among themselves and not answering the questions. My second bunch of questions was targeted to these students to see and understand their reactions. I asked the class not to raise their hands and directed the questions to the five students. Some of the questions I asked included; what are drugs, name some illegal and legal drugs. The students answered the questions effortlessly. My next approach was to introduce a debate on whether athletes should be tested for drugs during sporting activities. The class had eight columns and so each column was to present one argument. Colum 1: Drug testing should be made compulsory because drug use eventually affects the health of an individual Column 2: The sole purpose as to why fans attend and watch sports is because of the talents of the individuals. The use of drugs means creating a competition among the pharmaceutical companies on the ability to manufacture the most effective drug. Column 3: Drug testing should not be done but rather athletes should be allowed to use drugs. This is because some sportspersons access better training facilities, better diets and better training efficiency hence the sportspersons lacking these resources are disadvantaged. The debate continued with different students contradicting and supporting other students’ views. I saw how the students stressed some points and presented examples of athletes in their discussion. I was able to understand who was good at debating, who approached the questions differently, who was shy to answer but had the internal urge to answer and those five students who are always in front and ready to answer any question. I realized the class was inquisitive and were ready to contribute in the learning process. I also realized the appropriate strategy is to ensure I create questions that allows the students to exchange views and contributes towards the success of the debate. Introduction The purpose of this study is to understand the students’ behaviours and their different abilities to understand the questions posed to them. In teaching, one has to know the different needs of the students in the class in order to be able to address the different needs of such students. The study was also meant to evaluate the ability of the learners in terms of their ability to respond and answer questions and be able to understand their different classroom behaviours. This would help in ensuring that the teaching carried out in the class is effective and that every student benefits form the interactions in the class. Managing the class effectively in the teaching process would go a long way in ensuring that the learning process is beneficial to the students and that all students are involved. The purpose of the study was also to understand the different ways that all students can be involved in the class room activities. This would involve calling upon some of the students to answer certain questions in order to keep them involved in the classroom. This case study revolves around testing the different response behaviours and learning characteristics of the students in the class. The study is conducted through the introduction of a debate in the class to test the level of involvement of the class in general. The study is also conducted in order to have an understanding of the individual characteristics of the students in the classroom. The debate is introduced to the class through questions of a general nature and of interest to the students. Specifically the students are asked about sports. The choice of the topic is crucial to the debate as it has to be one that the students have a general understanding of. The questions had to be of the nature that the students would have the desire to respond based on their understanding of the questions. The study was aimed at bringing in to light the different characteristics and behaviours of the students in the class. The study showed that there are a majority of the students who are keen to participate in the activities in the classroom. There were also other students that needed more attention in order to keep them involved in the debates going on in the class. Learner characteristics Learner characteristics are the mental factors that may affect the learning activity of an individual. (Nakayama et al., 2012) These characteristics therefore determine whether or not a student has the desire to learn or whether their behaviour portrays that they are unwilling to learn. The students’ learner characteristics will impact on the attitude of the learner towards education. In creating student centred classrooms, students must be involved in the discovery of new knowledge acquired through learning. The students have to participate in the learning process such that the teacher becomes a guide to the activities in the class room. This means that the teacher must have identified how to get the students involved and also making sure that they gain from the interactions. The teachers therefore have the responsibility to create experiences that are organised and cohesive to help the students understand the concepts taught. (Nakayama et al., 2012) According to the study conducted, most of the students have accepted the responsibility for their own learning. The ability of a student to accept learning as his/her own responsibility is vital in the learning process. In this study this can be seen by the large number of students who are voluntarily participating in the class discussions without having to be pushed. This shows the willingness to learn and benefit from the learning process. However there are some students who need more attention to be able to bring them on board with the discussions in the class. These students have to be pushed to be able to create in them the desire to learn. On the other hand there are other students that are willing to learn and participate in the classroom activities but cannot do so as a result of being shy. Such students require gradual involvement in classroom activities to be able to create the courage in them to participate in class activities. (Brooks, 1993) The participation of the students in the classroom is a distinct characteristic among the students. Almost half the class participated in the debate which means that a majority of the students have the desire to participate in the learning process. Though the participation of a majority of the students may not be such that they are giving accurate answers, their participation is however an indication of commitment in the learning process. It is through this participation that a teacher is able to correct the students where necessary and also provide guidance where needed. (Brown, 2008) Team work is a great tool for students in the learning process. From the study conducted, the ability of the students to work in teams was evaluated through the requirement that they discuss their arguments in groups. The responses were to be made as a group as opposed to individual responses. Though there may have been some inadequacies in the students’ abilities to work in groups, the participation presented the view that the learners have the ability to learn and work in teams. However some distinct insufficiencies in the team work characteristic is that most of the learners still have the urge to override the responses of the group in order for them to make individual responses. (Brooks, 1993) The learners also exhibited a sense of confidence especially in the way they were able to respond to the questions asked. The ability to respond to the questions was a sign that the students had confidence in the responses they gave. With the exception of the students that were shy in putting their views across, most of the students could very well participate in the discussion. However despite such confidence being exhibited by the students, they may not have learned the need to make relevant and correct responses to the questions asked. The students applied different tools of analysis to be able to give their responses and also give weight to the answers they presented. When asked about drug testing for athletes, the students were able to rely on the cases they have heard involving athletes and could use such cases in bringing out their responses. The students exhibited their ability to gather analyse and interpret information from the evidence presented. They could use the evidence available to them, for example involving different athletes, to be able to give weighted responses to the questions posed to them. An important learner characteristic is the ability to give informed responses to the questions asked. This involves the learners having the knowledge relevant to the questions and the topics under discussion. The students exhibited that they had informed knowledge relating to the issue of drug testing among athletes. The students have to be informed of the learning issues presented to them or else demonstrate the need to acquire knowledge on the matter under study. (Brooks, 1993) The language used in giving the responses to the questions asked is of great importance in the learning process. The learners in this case did not understand the need for thee use of correct language in bringing out their responses. Language is of great importance in the learning process hence it is vital that the students are well aware of the correct use of language in the learning process. The use of language involves the correct interpretation of the questions given to them and also the ability to give a response that is correct in language. The learners in this case did not know the importance in the use of correct language in responding to the issues raised in the class. The learning process requires language and hence language is therefore an important aspect. (Darling-Hammond et al., 2005) The interests of the learners in various topics determine the level of participation of the students. In this case the students had an interest in sports hence they could be able to participate in the class activities. The fact that most of the students had an interest in sports made the debate as one of great interest to them. The fact that most of the students are also able to debate also greatly impacted upon the learning process. The interactions with the learners have to ignite interest in them to contribute to the issues under discussion. The teachers have to ensure that in the learning process they have to connect the issues concerned with the interests of the students in order to create an opportunity for the students to understand the discussions in the class. The teachers have to identify the interests and the strengths of the students and link them with the learning process to allow more participation. The ability of the students to understand the issues raised in the teaching process they have to have interest in the issues and also have an interest in the learning process as a whole. Educational practices The efficacy of the learner is in every case important towards ensuring that the learner benefits form the learning process. The benefits to the learner involve the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to understand the concepts taught. The concept of assessment has always been of great importance. It helps in testing the level of understanding of the students from the issues taught to them or discussed in the learning process. Through the testing of the students a teacher is able to understand the level of understanding of the students and be able to evaluate the knowledge passed from the teacher to the students. The teacher is also in a position to know the areas of concern to the students and be able to address them. Further, through student’s assessment a teacher is able to understand the different needs of the students and improve on the teaching methods for the benefit of the students. In order to ensure that the learning process is student-centered, the teachers have to create situations that allow students to make connections with new ideas in the learning process. This means that teachers should create circumstances where the students can be able to connect the knowledge acquired in the previous concepts with the concepts being studied at that time. The questions and the problems that are presented to the students have to be such that the student is able to understand the concepts in issue through relating them to the concepts learned in previous lessons. This ensures that the students continue to build up the knowledge acquired over time. The student is in a position to have a deeper understanding of the issues at hand through reshaping and modifying the ideas priory acquired. The students must be presented with learning opportunities in order for them to construct their individual meanings about issues and the problems presented to them. (Nakayama et al., 2008) Metacognition is also a key concept in the educational practices. This is the ability of a student to think about their own thinking. This means that a student is able to evaluate his own ideas in order to ensure their accuracy, consistency and relevancy with the issues presented. This means that the teachers have to present the students with the opportunity to reflect on what they have learnt or gained through the entire learning process. This enables the students to gain from the contact with the teachers and generally from the educational setting presented to them. Education for the student should be self-regulated and allow the student to make sense of the world on his own through collaborating with the teachers and other students. It is from these engagements and the information gathered the student is able to reflect on the information and knowledge acquired. This gives the student a deeper understanding of the issues presented. (Nakayama et al., 2008) The ability of the students to be metacognitive means that the students’ response to the questions and the problems presented to them is knowledge-based. The students who are metacognitive acquire characteristics such as confidence in the articulation of the responses required and above all the student is able to analyze and interpret the information presented. The student is able to exhibit knowledge in the different areas of study and is able to sufficiently respond to the issues presented. In the learning process there has to exist a link between the teacher and the learner in order to ensure a smooth learning process. The teacher has to understand the characteristics of the development of the learner. This will enable the teacher to relate with the student well and bring the student on board as partner in the learning process. The learning process can only be beneficial to the students when the student knows that he/she is a partner in the education process. The student has to have the desire for learning such that the teachers are able to build up on that desire of the student. The teacher will have to ensure that the mode of delivery of knowledge to the student allows the student to have an understanding and develop a great desire in learning. It is unless the student develops the curiosity to know that knowledge can be effectively passed to them. The students are engaged more in critical decision making in the class in order for them to desire to explore the topic under study further. In the study carried out, the issue of drug testing among athletes was obviously an area of interest for the students. There was the opportunity for them to explore the matter further based on the fact that the teacher had ignited the curiosity in them to know more about the topic. This kind of desire goes a long way in helping the student participate in the learning process. The students have to learn to depend on themselves to acquire knowledge. (Prinsen et al., 2007) Collaborative learning is an important educational practice and helps the students to learn more. Collaborative learning involves the interaction of the students with the teachers on a social level and also among themselves. The holding of lectures is not enough; a teacher will be able to understand the student’s batter through further interactions. The students are also able to learn more through relating with the teachers even outside of the classroom. Collaborative learning also involves creating opportunities for the students to learn from among themselves. This will entail having sessions where the students have group works or where they work together as a class in certain class activities. The social interaction between them creates a connection between them. The connection created between them means that the students can learn from each other. The students who are quick to understand the issues taught can help out the other students. The students will have the desire to learn together and instigate the need for education in each other. The need for the interaction of the students cannot be overemphasized. It is easy for the students to learn from each other when they are socially connected. In the case study for example, the students were required to give their responses in their columns. This created an opportunity for them to have a discussion as a group and interact more. This is also important to help all students be accommodative of each other. (Carey et al., 2005) Authentic assessment is also a key educational practice in the learning process. This involves the teacher engaging the students in challenging situations to allow the students to apply the knowledge they have acquired in the learning process. Once the students have learnt certain concepts, the teacher has the responsibility to avail to them various areas of applications so that the students can apply such knowledge and evaluate their level of understanding. This type of assessment is different from the usual exams and other tests. The assessment is to enable the students desire to understand the concepts in a deeper way. The student has the opportunity for self-evaluation and is also an opportunity for further research by the student. To create a student-centered class calls for the involvement of the teacher and the students as partners in the learning process. The teacher has to ensure that there is balance between all the students in the class. This ensures that all the students have an equal learning opportunity. There should be no students that are more advantaged in the process than others. Equal opportunity must be presented to them. (Carey et al., 2005) The impact of creating a student-centered class is that the students have the opportunity to learn and gain more. The students are more involved in the learning process and participate in the whole process. The ability of the students to interact between them is important to allow all the students to take part in all the activities of the class. In allowing group works for example, the students that are not confident to give their responses in the class can adequately take part in the group discussions. This means that all students have an opportunity to participate fully. A student centered class requires planning, that is, the teacher and the students have a mode of conducting the learning process. This allows the learning to be interesting and drive the students to curiosity to learn more. This means that the teacher has to plan on how to introduce the topics in a way that interests the students and makes them feel motivated to learn. The planning of the learning process has to be based on the knowledge that the teacher has on the students, their behavior and characteristics. The instructions given to the students have to be capable of offering the students with various opportunities to learn. This has to incorporate the different learning styles for the students to be able to ensure that all the students gain from the process. The opportunities presented enable the student to acquire different experiences and also and provide other different opportunities for the student. The different learning methods may include debates, students’ interaction through group work and also assessment for the student. The teacher’s role is mainly to facilitate and allow the students to learn. The teacher and the students have to work hand in hand to ensure that the process is beneficial to the students and that information is passed to them. The teacher guides the students and directs them in the learning process. The students must be availed with the opportunity to find knowledge on their own but with guidance from the teachers. Assessment will help the students know the extent of their learning and also provide guidance to the teacher on how to address the differences in the understanding capabilities of the students. Key strategies to develop learning The motivation of students is important in the learning process. Students should be motivated in order to ignite in them the need to study. This may include providing them with different programs to create in them the urge to learn. This may also require appreciating the students that have worked hard and have depicted a great need to learn. Students should also be encouraged to motivate themselves. This may involve helping them appreciate the progress they have made and accepting their level of growth in learning as they target to grow more. The stakeholders involved in the learning process including the parents have a responsibility to motivate the learners to create in them the desire and interest to study more. (OECD, 2007) Incentives should be created for the students to challenge them to study more. This may involve giving presents to acknowledge improvement among the students. The desire to learn has to be cultivated in the students through all ways including motivating them. Metacognition can also be used as a strategy to develop learning. Students need to learn on how to reflect on what they have learned. This involves testing the knowledge they have acquired to ensure that such knowledge is continuously gained. In responding to questions and hypothetical problems presented to them, the students have to learn to reflect and weigh their responses to ensure that they are in line with the questions asked. (Nakayama et al., 2008) Learners need the skill of weighing the decisions they make in order to make them more desirous of learning. Only when a student is able to meditate and reflect on what has been learnt can the student be able to know the areas that require more study and improvement. This skill means that the students should be capable of self-assessment in order to gauge the level of growth in learning. The students will be able to develop high-order thinking skills such as critical thinking and the ability to solve problems that are specific to certain disciplines. This will also make sure that the students give more time to learning on their own than listening to lectures. The learning process is only effective where the student is able to voluntarily learn with guidance from the teacher. Assessment is also an important strategy in developing learning. The use of exams and other tests h in the evaluation of the student helps to keep the students in check and incites them to read more in preparation for the exams. There is the general nature of human beings to perform better than prior performance. In this case the student will be interested in performing better in one exam than in the last exam. This motivates the learner to learn and approach the teachers for guidance in order to acquire more knowledge. Assessment of students is a key factor in ensuring that the students cultivate a reading culture. (Nakayama et al., 2008) Students will be generally motivated towards maintaining a social relationship with the teachers and with other students in order to gain more. Assignments are also intertwined in the learning process to keep the students in focus on the important programs in learning. Assignments are also key to testing the level of understanding of the students. Through the marking of the assignments the teacher is able to understand the needs of the different students and motivate them towards improving in their learning activities. In terms of the student, the assignments are also a way of self-reflection to identify the areas that need more input in preparation for further assessment in exams. Participation in activities that improve their understanding of the things learned in school improves the learning of the students. Co-curricular activities and service learning opportunities will help the students to build up on what they have learnt and hence will help in improving learning. The students should be involved in programs that help them utilize the knowledge acquired in the learning process and apply to practical issues. This gives them a deeper understanding of the issues learned and therefore boosts the learning process. The teachers have the responsibility to ensure that programs are created to help the students apply the knowledge they have acquired and make it practical. There is need to put emphasis on the concept of note taking among the students especially during lectures. The teachers offer guidance to the students during lecture hours hence the students need to cultivate the culture of taking notes at all times. Once the student is able to take notes effectively, this will be reflected even in the way the learner conducts their research and revision. The student can therefore be in a position to effectively understand taught either in class or those that they have learnt in the course of their personal study. Note taking is vital especially to help the student adopt a learning culture through self-drive. (Makany, 2009) Conclusion In the learning process, a teacher needs to understand the students in order to make sure that the learning process is informative and beneficial to the student. The teacher needs to know the characteristics of the students both as a class and in their individual capacities. The behaviors of the students need to be known by the teacher so that when teaching, the teacher will work to ensure that the different needs of the students are met. Above all the teacher needs to understand the class as a whole in order to device proper structures and programs to be able to effectively teach the students. It is important to learn about learners for it is the most effective way to know how to effectively teach them. Students and learners in general have different needs and learner characteristics. This means that a teacher can only be able to effectively pass knowledge to the students if he understands them. The response of students towards learning is different hence the behavior of the students is important for the teacher. Learning about learners also helps the teacher understand the learning process from the perspective of the students. This means that the teacher is able to be accommodative of the students depending on their behavior and their learning characteristics. The ability of the teacher to understand the students also helps the teacher to know how to effectively relate with the students in the learning process. The learning process involves the teacher and the student, to a great extent, and hence there needs to be a relationship between them to be able to create a conducive environment for the students to learn students need to learn to freely approach the teachers for guidance as they learn. This means that there must be a cordial relationship that makes the students feel comfortable to seek assistance from the teacher. The teacher is able to teach in a way that is understandable to the students only when the teacher understands the students. Learning about the students helps the teacher know how to reach out to the students and offer guidance. The teacher is also able to understand the programs that can be introduced for the purpose of making the students apply the knowledge they gain in practical situations. References Brooks, J., & Brooks, M. (1993). The case for constructivist classrooms. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Brown, J., (2008). Student- centered instruction: Involving students in their own education. Music Educators Journal, 94(5), 30–35. Darling-Hammond, L., & Bransford, J. (Eds.). (2005). Preparing teachers for a changing world. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Darling-Hammond, L., Barron, B., Cervetti, G., Pearson, P. D., Schoenfeld, A. H., Stage, E. K., et al. (2008). Powerful learning: What we know about teaching for understanding. 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Students' learning styles in two classes: Online distance learning and equivalent on campus. College Teaching Vol. 47, No. 4, 130-135. Read More