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.
As I read these articles, I agreed with almost everything that was said. The Great Teacher Question: Beyond Competencies, by Edward R. Ducharme begins with a sentence that basically sums up my reason for teaching, “I begin this essay by defining a great teacher as one who influences others in positive ways so that their lives are forever altered” (Ducharme, 1991 p. 2). Over the course of a student’s education they will have many teachers, but there are maybe only one or two who are THE teacher. The teacher who impacts this child’s life in a positive way forever. The rest of the articles follow this same theme, suggesting ways that teachers can become THE teacher. One of the most important qualities I found in these articles (and one I
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...
An outstanding educator possesses unique qualities that set him or her apart from others in the field. Ask any student about a favorite teacher and listen intently as he or she describes that person with a smile. Ask a parent of a child who will enter first grade in the fall about the teacher choice for their child. The parent would describe the outstanding educator in their desire for that special teacher. The qualities of an outstanding educator are easily recognized by those whose lives they touch, shape, and change on a daily basis. It is in this writing piece that they will be described and discussed.
“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
... 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.
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...
Teachers serve as the guiding force in a student’s life. They are responsible for molding a student’s personality and shaping his/her mental orientation. Teachers deeply impact our lives and direct the course of our future. One cannot deny the influence of teachers in one’s life. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that, till a certain age, out life revolves around our teachers. They are our constant companions, until we grow old enough to come out of their shadow and move ahead on our own.
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.
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.
Killen, R. (2007). Effective Teaching Strategies, Lessons from Research and Practice. (4th .ed). South Melbourne: Thomson.
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.
There are many things which make a teacher great and they all can`t be defined.However i`ve always considered several of them essential.In my opinion a good teacher is someonewho first of all creates interest in studying,doesn`t underestimate the children,has equal expectations of siccess from everyone and last but not least likes his job.
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
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.