Do What it Takes to Reach Students
Let's face it, not everyone loves, or even likes learning. Just poll a class of students on the subject or ask a group of teachers about their last staff development and undoubtedly you'll have comparisons to four-lettered words.
It's not just the current generation that wants to be entertained. Students in the 70's and 80's learned by watching television shows like Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow. This generation; however, began learning with technology at their infancy. And just as TV's in the 80's became babysitters, so have devices. Therefore, educators must do something different to grab a student's attention.
I used to tell my students that if they really tried, it was nearly impossible to fail my class, and I believe if an educator puts effort into engaging a student they way they learn, the outcome will be the same. Effort doesn't have to take tons of time; however, it must be effective.
Start with what works and in the words Steven Covey:
Be Proactive
Teaching and learning doesn't "just happen", it takes preparation. Even teachers who have taught for years and are at the top of their game do their homework. These teachers take responsibility for the learning of their students by doing everything they can before students enter the room to create a lesson, establish norms and procedures for the room to set the stage for a student to be engaged in the learning.Begin with the End in Mind
If you, as a teacher are keeping the endgame in mind, you will be looking at learner outcomes and will begin by deciding what it is you want your students to learn. You'll also have to know when and how it is that the student learned it. If you've never looked at designing backwards, look first at the desired outcome, the determine assessment evidence and lastly plan the learning experiences and instruction. For more information: Introduction: What Is the UbD Framework (PDF).
Put First Things First
A teacher can't begin to teach and students can't learn if there are other obstacles in the way preventing the learning. A teacher can have an engaging, fun lesson, but if there is no management and structure, the teacher may as well have put on a movie for students to watch because learning will not take place. Likewise, an effective teacher also recognizes the needs of students and if primary needs are not being met, then he/she can have the best lesson in the world and the student won't learn. For a closer look at what Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, or read an article from Edtopia on the topic.
Think Win-Win
What can you, the teacher do to help make your students successful? Because each student is different and learns differently, do what you can to reach each type of learner and do what it takes to make them successful. Think about what success looks like in the lesson you are trying to teach and focus on getting your students to that "Win" and it will be a "Win" for you as well.
Seek First to Understand, then Be Understood
Study your students and figure out from them how they learn. Ask them because they may already know, but you may have to do some trial and assessment. Effective teachers know their students. They study their learning habits and patterns and formatively assess whether their students, "get it" or "not" and effective teachers use what they learn to tweak their lessons and teaching to help their learners grasp content.
Synergize
Simply put, two heads work better than one, so use your resources as a teacher by working together and allow your students to do the same. As an educator in this day and time, you have some of the greatest minds in education at your fingertips. USE them. Connect with others and work collaboratively.
Allow students to work together as well. This instructional strategy takes practice for students and for you. Students must be taught to compare, talk and learn from each other, and not to simply copy. Have them turn and talk about what they think, why they think it and listen to them. Allow them to ask questions. You may have to give students sentence stems to help facilitate their thinking when they begin.
Sharpen the Saw
As you learn and grow as an educator, continue to keep up with the growth. Remember that the world is constantly changing and so are your learners. What works one month, may not work another month, or day for that matter. In fact, each class period and each student is different and what works for one won't always work for another so
Resources:
ASCD. (2015, January). Understanding by Design.
Retrieved from ASCD Learn, Teach, Lead:
http://www.ascd.org/research-a-topic/understanding-by-design-resources.aspx
Covey, D. S. (2010). Books. Retrieved from
Stephen R. Covey: www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits-habit7.php
