The new teaching methods
I am taking an introductory teaching course called preparing to teach in the lifelong learning sector. It is for post compulsory education. In other words, 16 years onwards. In my classes I have discovered that teachers no longer teach!! They deliver learning!! The thing is, if students do not learn, whose fault is it? Is it the tutor for not delivering the learning in the proper manner? Or the student for not taking proper delivery of it.
Should we be called teachers and tutors any longer? Are we now delivery men/women? Hmm. Very interesting!
Actually, once we get past the humorous comments, there is a lot of sense in the modern way that teachers are trained and how they are meant to deliver lessons. There are many things that I have learned that do make more sense than old teaching methods. Now teachers have to learn about inclusion, equality, diversity and differentiation. These are making sure that everyone has the same chances to learn. Everyone has the entitlement to be included in any form of education that they choose. To be involved in all relevant activities and diversity values the differences in all people regardless of race, religion, gender, disability or age. Differentiation is used to describe the different approaches to education to meet the needs of all kinds of individuals.
I find it very refreshing and right that now teachers are taught to have respect for the students. I have found in past jobs where I have had to train people that they learn much faster and with more willingness when they are shown respect and receive praise when earned. Even telling someone that you know they will do well gives them the motivation to try hard, particularly if they really are not interested. The respect they receive makes them want to please and in the end it often turns out that they enjoy their job and become very good at it.
I am finishing my course soon and hope to find a job teaching people to speak English or German. Up until 2007 anyone in the UK with a degree could teach in adult education without any formal teaching qualification whatsoever. This course is the first step in a qualification for teaching and gives a threshold qualification to teach in adult education. I am looking forward to starting.
