As I read more in depth about teachers knowing their students, it made me realize just how important it is, and how many different fundamental components there are in order for a teacher to actually "know" their students. I found this really interesting to read and think about, especially as I'm studying to become a future teacher. It made me really think of past experiences I've had with a few teachers and the affects it had on me and my learning.
I have had only one extraordinary teacher that did fulfill all of the components mentioned through Drake et al., (2014)'s chapter. This teacher showed his compassion for each student and their learning/potential. He dedicated a good amount of time to each student, making sure they understood everything, provided differentiated instruction and ways for us to display what we had learned and was a constant motivator for us to push ourselves. He liked knowing what our interests were and observing how we learned and working off of our strengths and weaknesses with each and every one of us. This type of teacher, who genuinely cared about his students and their learning/success truly inspired me to be just like him when I become a teacher, and proved to me that this type of teacher-student relationship is most beneficial and important for the teacher to learn from the students and the students learn from the teacher and also feel important and respected.https://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCLjGiOPpi8gCFcs4PgodcbIBcA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ugdsb.on.ca%2Ftevans%2Farticle.aspx%3Fid%3D20056&bvm=bv.103388427,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNGOHwozxUVK7jt_I0uTdpVGeEZKhw&ust=1443051973400499
https://www.google.ca/url? sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCKbSqpHqi8gCFYN2PgodbjQCTw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F151715081168600258%2F&psig=AFQjCNEB1KSdtIJs5XUAiWqgP96tvGseqw&ust=1443052101232108
These past experiences really opened my eyes and justified all of the components that Drake et al., (2014) stated in their chapter about how important it is for teachers to know their students, as it all affects the student and their learning/success.
Reflecting on another article I read, Reed, Banks and Carlisle (2004) also discussed the importance of teachers knowing their students' learning in terms of knowing their best learning style, and having the teacher recognize that the way they teach/learn may not be the same way their students learn. So with saying this, the teachers need to know/learn about their students in order to provide the best learning style for what best suits them, helping them succeed.
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://lscomputerlab.weebly.com/uploads/9/8/1/7/9817272/2398983_orig.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lscomputerlab.weebly.com/whats-your-learning-style.html&h=777&w=1100&tbnid=O2saL9nsJSbcjM:&docid=KJJthbDsH3nrgM&ei=TucBVryRAsX3-QGMyIjwDw&tbm=isch&client=safari&ved=0CDMQMygCMAJqFQoTCLzwud3oi8gCFcV7PgodDCQC_g
Below is a video I found of a student expressing the difference it makes when teachers take the time to actually get to know you and take interest in your interests.
In conclusion, I truly believe that teachers getting to know their students is crucial for their teacher-student relationship and for the students' learning. Students tend to do better in school and their work when they know their teacher takes an interest and cares about them and their education. And with saying this, the more the teacher learns about the student, whether it be their interests, how they learn, their strengths/weaknesses, etc., the more the student will want to learn, work hard and will succeed.
References
Drake,
S. M., Reid, J. L., & Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving Curriculum and Classroom Assessment: Engaging
the 21s Century Learner. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Reed, J. A., Banks, A. L., & Carlisle, C.S. (2004). Knowing Me, Knowing Who? Getting to Know Your Students'
Preferred Learning Style. Teaching Elementary Physical Education, 15(4), 25.
Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEu-eQELPOI
Hi Vicky!
ReplyDeleteI felt drawn to your blog as soon as I saw it! You did a nice job creating a visually attractive template! The colours work nicely together to create a clean, simple, and easy-to-read page. This makes reading your blog more enjoyable and easier to do. One suggestion I will make with regards to the layout of your overall blog would be to put the citations for your photos directly under the images. In fact, there is an ‘add a citation’ option in the settings page that would allow you to do this more efficiently. This would make reading your blog easier to do without the break in the page – due to the citation – that is causing the distraction! Also, increasing the font size would also make it easier to read!
The visual components to your blog help to make the content more interesting! I really enjoyed the image that lists the various types of learning styles. Reading it allowed me to personally connect to your piece as I was able to list the various types of learning styles that apply, and have applied, to my educational experience. When doing so, I was able to recall a high school experience where the use of the visual learning style helped to dramatically improve my grades in math. The introduction of smart boards in the classroom allowed the teacher to provide visual representations of the lessons in a more fun, and interactive way. Furthermore, the smart boards provided opportunities for the class to take up homework collectively, and made the math class more engaging as a whole. Though the introduction of smart boards was a good effort at incorporating a different learning style in the classroom, the question remains as to whether students/I would have been more academically successful if various learning styles were used interchangeably. Do you think that interchanging various learning styles would benefit student learning? Could it be possible that these constant changes would cause confusion for the students more so than helping them?
Overall, I do believe that your blog does a good job in successfully fulfilling the blog criteria established for our class. You have included personal experiences within your explanations, which work to strengthen your points. Furthermore, the video you selected further encompasses the points you make within the blog. The only thing missing are a couple hyperlinks that would direct the reader to additional information with regards to your piece! Altogether, great blog!
Hi Vicky,
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to hear that you had so many teachers growing up who did not show care and concern for you and your fellow classmates. That is not the type of learning environment children should grow up in. Not only does it have a negative fact on children's perception of themselves, but it also has a negative effect on their academic success. I know whenever I had a teacher who went out of their way to get to know me and show that they cared, I would put twice the effort into my school work, and in effect my grades improved. Putting extra effort into my school work was a way of showing my teachers that I enjoyed being in their classroom and was thankful for the positive environment they created. Plus, when I knew teachers were invested in my education I didn't want to disappoint them by submitting substandard work.
However, it is comforting to know that in many of your classes your professors emphasize the importance of teachers getting to know their students. It makes me hopeful that as the next generation of teachers enters the working force, all students will have much more positive school experiences than you did growing up.
What strategies will you use to get to know your students and show them you are invested in their personal success? Since you didn't have many teachers exemplify this method of teaching, I am interested in the creative ways you plan breaking down barriers between teachers and students and building more personal relationships.
Overall, I enjoyed your blog. Your background isn't distracting but still fun and shows off a little personality. My only suggestion would be to make your text a bit larger, just to make everything easier to read. Other than that, great job and I am looking forward to your next post!
Hey Vicky!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I really enjoyed your blog and the topic that you chose to talk about. As future educators and from being students ourselves, we know the importance of having a good relationship between the student and the teacher. The notion of knowing your students and understanding what does and does not work for them is something that is very important to me as a future teacher. Like you outlined in your blog, when we know our students we are able to cater to their specific needs, which will in turn help them to learn more and to ultimately enjoy school.
I'm sorry to hear that you only had one extraordinary teacher throughout your academic journey thus far. I'm sure we have all had our share of not so good teachers, but I have been fortunate to have had a lot of really good teachers that made an effort to know me. Your blog also had me questioning and thinking about the professors that I have had here at Brock that fall into the description that you provided from Drake et al. (2014). How can professors manage to get to know all of the students in their large lectures? What are some of the things you have experienced tat have made you feel more connected to your profs?
Overall, your blog was a great read and very visually appealing. I love the colour palette and your background! My only suggestion would be to shorten your image links, as I wasn't sure if it was an outside link or not. Great topic, and thanks for sharing!
I have to say it’s an interesting post to read. I learn new information from your article , you are doing an excellent job. Keep it up.
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