An assumption according to the oxford dictionary is defined as ‘A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.’ According to Brookfield ‘Hegemonic assumptions are assumptions that we think are in our own best interests but that actually work against us in the long term.’ (Stephen D. Brookfield, 1995). Unfortunately, for teachers there are a lot of hegemonic assumptions out there regarding the best strategies to deal with classroom management, student – teacher relationship, disciplinary actions etc. but for this report I am going to discuss the one which was most evident in my experience during School Placement. Reflecting on my teaching practice one key hegemonic assumption that stands out to me as I had some problems relating to this topic is the relationship between a student and the teacher – the best approach to take heading into a classroom is a friendly relaxed one. Many other problems can stem from the relationship built such as classroom management problems and authority problems. I will look through all four of Brookfield’s lenses to back up my theory that having a too relaxed and friendly relationship with your students is in fact more detrimental to your teaching. These four lenses include:
1. Our autobiographical experiences of learning – Learner autobiography
2. Through the learners eyes – Critical incident questionnaires
3. Through our colleagues experiences – peer observation
4. Using the theoretical literature - referencing
Educationalists, Lecturers, students and everyday people find it so easy to list the good characteristics that make up a good teacher; unfortunately it is not that easy to become a good teacher just by making a list. There can be no doubt the teacher profession is a c...
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...aching strategies are they will lose validity and will become pointless. The main goal in a classroom climate is for effective learning to occur and with opposed dominance and control from the teacher, in my experience, this goal will not be met.
For my further career as a teacher and for my experience of teaching practice again I am abandoning the afore mention Kyriacou reference about a relaxed and friendly classroom climate in the introduction of this essay and replacing it with
‘A teacher is not a friend. Teachers and students have different roles in the classroom and different responsibilities. Being a close friend to student’s conflicts with being a teacher’ (Sara L. Schwebel 2002).
I am a teacher and I am a friend, but I am not my students friend, as I have learned it is impossible for these two characteristics to inhabit the same body at the same time.
The second principle is on Professional Relationship with students, as educator we are always to professional at all times whether we are in or out of the classroom. Moreover, parents trust us to be a safe haven for their children and to look after their children’s wellbeing while in a school setting. As part of this profess...
The students must trust that the teacher has their best interest at heart. This trust will help build a positive relationship between student and teacher. This is important for giving the students a sense of purpose, as they will then be more motivated to succeed. This allows them to be more active in class activities and engage in discussion. Not only is trust important between teacher and student, but also between students. A student should not fear ridicule when providing their opinion or an answer. This is a teacher’s responsibility to establish a sense of community by allowing students to get to know each other and develop positive relationships throughout the entire classroom. Students must be made aware that it’s our differences that make us unique, but it’s our similarities that make us human. The classroom should be a place of acceptance, where every student’s well-being is
“Hegemonic assumptions are assumptions that we think are in our own best interests but that actually work against us in the long term “Teacher S. Brookfield (1995). Becoming a critically reflective teacher. University of Michigan: Jossey-bass. P 203. In this report I am going to describe one of my hegemonic assumptions to do with the issue of classroom management. I will reflect on the issue from my learning inside the classroom and critically reflect using Brookfield’s four lenses my learner autobiography, the student’ perspective, peers/ colleagues perspective and theoretical literature. In this essay, I will identify my hegemonic assumption; explore why the assumption is hegemonic, how this assumption came to my attention in and prior to TP
Lastly, as a student myself most of Ellen Glanz’s points in “What’s Wrong with Schools?” are accurate. Classroom teaching methods need to be changed. Students shouldn 't be "doing as little as necessary to pass tests, using tricks to avoid assignments or manipulating teachers to do the work for them." Although teachers should demand more of their students it is essential for both the educator and his/her students to be on the same page. Through Ellen Glanz 's experience, she was able to point out the flaws in classroom settings and become a better teacher than she was before as
I really enjoyed this chapter on relationships between students and teachers because I was able to relate to the idea of a good relationship improving the learning in the classroom. In second grade, I had a teacher who really reached out and made good relationships and I have wanted to be a teacher who can make an impact on students’ learning and lives ever since. I think most would agree, and studies have shown, that good student/teacher relationships are important in the classroom but in this chapter the author went even deeper and discussed the how open a teacher should be. On page 62, the author listed three kinds of relationships that could take place in the classroom. After thinking about the choices, I found myself between the two and the three. I want to be as open as possible with my students but not about anything and everything in life. I think there are appropriate boundaries where it is ok to talk about out-of-school life but that it should be relatable to the students, such as a game that happened over the weekend or an event in the town. I think it is important to be able to have personal conversations with students but I think it is best to focus the conversation on them and be open with relatable stories or comments that will build the relationship.
... classroom, it enables the flaws in the behaviourist theory to be minimised. it allows for personal expression, something that the elementary behaviourist approach lacks and builds more “well-rounded” individuals.
It is expected that the profession of teaching embraces many qualities of any other professional practice. Teachers must possess a combination of many qualities beginning with a strong academic background and wide-ranging knowledge. The National Framework for Professional Standards for Teaching (2003) it is the knowledge of students, curriculum, subject matter, pedagogy, education – related legislation and the specifically teaching context that is the foundation on effective teaching, and a firm foundation on which to construct well educated judgments.
For teachers to be effective their classrooms should be open, encouraging and safe environments, where a strong student-teacher relationship can be achieved (Marsh, 2008). Students should be treated with respect in order to meet their need for belonging (Eggen&Kauchak, 2010). The layout of the room and resources need to be well considered allowing different areas for different activities (Bennett &Smilanich, P. 1994) keeping in mind space for easy movement and creative work. Seating arrangements, noise level and room temperature all need to be taken into account when planning the classroom to maximise productive lea...
Right from the time we embark on our education trip, we come across different types of teachers. Some are friendly, some are strict, and some are the ones we idolize. We also dislike a few, who fail to impress us positively. Students begin to like teachers, according to their own individual preferences. They even classify their teachers into different categories, such as Friendly Teachers, Lenient Teachers, Perfectionist Teachers, Strict Teachers and Funny Teachers. All these classifications for teachers are based on some typical personality traits of the teachers. For ex - some teachers constantly criticize the students, some act like friends, some are fun to be with and so on. Let us explore them in detail.
teacher works with the students who need to be taught using different instructional materials” (Friend). This helps the students who struggle with learning in big groups because they can get more one-on-one instruction.
My teaching career has been spent learning how to provide appropriate support, guidance, patience, & understanding, as well as to enhance academic growth & success, for all students. My purpose as a teacher is to enrich and inspire the lives of young students with moderate/intensive needs by providing access to information instead of functioning as the primary source of information for students to flourish. My teaching methods will be to create an environment ripe with opportunities for discovery and exploration which will allow all students to learn at their own pace, generate questions and construct knowledge, while providing hands-on practice of skills in authentic situations as well as to make learning intriguing and meaningful to all students. Carefully planned and constructed learning environment will also allow the teacher more time to meet the individual needs of each student. Another important factor to a well-prepared learning environment is to facilitate learning, and providing students with balance and consistency (2004). Young students require a balance between various classroom dimensions, including activities guided by the teacher and independent work, quiet work and active work, gross motor and fine motor activities, and open and closed aspects to the curriculum and classroom materials (2004). Consistency is also a required condition for learner success. Schedules (daily and weekly), the enforcement of classroom rules, and student expectations should not be in flux but remain consistent. Without a sense of consistency in the classroom, school life would lack the necessary feeling of safety and reliability young children need to focus, to take risks, and to t...
There are several main characteristics that every teacher needs to have to be a great teacher. A great teacher respects students(Orlando,Web). In every teachers classrooms, every students opinions and ideas are highly valued. Students need to be able to feel safe to fully express their feelings and
Being a teacher is not an easy task as many people could think. To be a teacher does not only imply to know the subject to be taught, it also includes being willing to constantly improve oneself integrally, as much as updating the resources and materials one uses in teaching. Reflecting and analyzing over and over again the best way to teach to learn and how to make students to extend what has been learned. The many hours spend in the classroom will never be enough to plan lessons, prepare materials, review pupils tasks and exams, as well, all the administrative requirements one has to cover for whatever institution we work. Besides all this a good teacher, a professional one, will have to find the time to keep preparing to improve oneself.
For some reason or another certain students are drawn to particular teachers while other students are more fond of others. In my life I have studied under three memorable teachers. Teachers with which I was able to connect, to laugh, to share my misgivings. While I may have been close with each of these teachers, it is very clear, in retrospect, that each was very unique, and represented an entirely different class of teacher.
Killen, R. (2007). Effective Teaching Strategies, Lessons from Research and Practice. (4th .ed). South Melbourne: Thomson.