Welcome Explorers!
How should you teach?
Friday, November 21, 2008
a teacher, a leader, a friend, and... my father
Started from an education end-of-year custom, we used to write in what we call "Memorable Book" before saying goodbye to each other. One of my friends asked me a question, "How to teach well?" At that time, I wrote something like these:
1. Make a good preparation.
2. Master the subject you want to teach.
3. Hold control of your class.
4. Dress (or do make up) as appropriate as a teacher.
All of these points were my short conclusion from what I learn with addition of my memory being a student see how my teachers taught me all this time (especially point no. 4).
Years later, when I finally became a teacher myself, I realized that what I wrote that day is far beyond a good teaching. Each point is much easier to write or say than actually doing it and be a good teacher.
To make a good preparation is far more complicated than what I imagine of before. I thought by telling the students what subject will we learn today is more than enough to show them that we have prepare anything. Apparently, it's not. We can't only tell them what the subject is, we must be able to 'present' it in front of the class so they can enjoy the subject without a feeling of 'studying' (well, I know for sure that most students didn't like to study - including me). Your preparation should include the how and why we need to learn about the subject and what is its purpose for the student. Do you want to learn about physics without know it purpose? I don't think so. But do you want to learn about physics if I told you that you could make a fortune from it? I think at least your eyes will staring at me now. :)
To master the subject is not the same with memorize it to each punctuations. We have to be able to connect or relate it with what your students already know or familiar. And it would be the best if we could relate the subject with their daily life or activities in present or for the future so they will get motivated to know more about the subject. And this include the steps of how you gonna teach the subject, started from the easiest part (for the students, not for you!) to the hardest level with smooth transition so they didn't even feel that they have become the master of the subject. Once again, all this is much easier to say (or write) than in daily practice. It looks like we need 'something' to be able to do all this mastery thing.
When we talk about taking control of your class, it will be a whole different thing. It's not as simple as having a quite class (this might be dangerous in contrary because you didn't have feedback from your class), yet you have to able to create a nuance of 'study/learning' in your class. For this to happen, you need to know your class character as well as your student's character, what are their interest to get their attention, when is the perfect time to bring out the main subject, and much more including a simple thing such as lunch time or nap time. The latest one is highly affected your class as your students might be reluctant to study something new.
Finally, after all these years being a teacher and learn to be a better one, a teacher is not only a person whose job is to stands in front of the class, know much about anything, able to transfer his/her knowledge to other, or someone like a tape/cassette that could be replay anytime you want. A teacher also a person that forced to be able to understand how their students understand something. Isn't it incredible? It already hard to understand someone, but teacher HAS to understand how someone understand something? No matter how hard it is, you're really need this in teaching. Wouldn't it be easier to teach if we know how our student learn about something?
On top of all these, as an answer to my friend's question at the beginning of this post, is to teach with love. Like parents who teach their beloved children with hope that they will understand and know how to do it someday. And all of the troubled things I mentioned before will be no trouble anymore if you teach with love. Do you agree with me?
Picture courtesy of eye of einstein (Alan L)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35188692@N00/2140091820/sizes/m/
nice post...hard to do, easier to said (write).
i myself, couldn't fulfill the number 4....always using sandals and t-shirt while i'm teaching, hahahaha =)
understanding the class is hard..and it also happen to me. Matured students, around 18 till 24 (a few years ago, my students were older than me, hehehehe) made it harder to understand them, especially understand their understanding level, hehehehe...
this post really made me think harder how to become a great "teacher"
Well written.
Unfortunately a lot of teacher now are just doing their JOB and full fill their duty as the teacher with no LOVE at all. Actually a good teacher can change our life forever.
One more question, bro. Just curious if your dad name Tjan Pan Lin is a Chinese name?
Good one, Keep it up!
@Maxi, thank you for sharing your own experience, I'm sure my father would love to read it.
@Daniel, yes... it is my father's name and a Chinese name. :) He can speak Mandarin and still learn till now. He always been a teacher and a learner. FYI, I can't speak Chinese cause I'm lazy :P
Aldhis, i'd have to say that Mr. Lin has written a wonderful post. Regards for him...:D
yes these 4 things are very important to be a effective teacher. i think taking control over the class is really important. without it no matter how well you prepare for the subject you cant present it to the class.
happy blogging.
I agree, the students' attention depend on how you portray yourself in front of them. But in my case after doing the four step, I prayed for His guidance and He alone can do things that I can't do. Nice post...
@Grace, maybe he is bored :)
@Irtiza, thank you for your compliment. Actually my father is called with Mr. Tjan since we live in Indonesia.
@WHITEShadow, thank you for visiting. And of course we always have ask for His guidance for whatever we do. :)
Dear All,
Thank you so much for reading my writing. I have taken some notes and will write more about it based on my experience.
Dear Maxi,
I'm glad you have thought about how to teach now. I'll be happy to share my experience about teaching with you, especially how to understand your students. Keep on following.
I really enjoyed this post. I am a teacher too, and I think the four points are very thoughtful and simple. Sometimes they are easier said then done, but it helps to keep simple, clear ideas in mind when preparing to teach a lesson.
