Teaching is the process of one individual giving another individual the knowledge and tools that will enable them to be efficient at what ever the desired goal is that the individual is trying to achieve. There are plenty of different methods of teaching which is very beneficial because not everyone learns the same way and depending on what is being taught the "teacher" may have to switch up his/her style. To be a "teacher" one does not have to be a professional, anyone can be a teacher. Anyone that has useful information that can help an individual reach desired goals, become knowledgeable on specific topics or perfect a specific skills can be considered a teacher. Learning takes place everyday so in that case teaching is taking place everyday, its a never ending process.
I love how you discuss changing your style! This is very true when you think about teaching! You need to be on your toes and be able to see how the students react to your teaching.
Being a history teacher, I believe it is my job to impart students with skills to be a productive citizen in society. Studying history allows a student to gain these skills. These skills include teaching students about perspective. Being a historian requires a student to step into another person's shoes and to understand that person's point of view as an aspect of that time. Another aspect history teachers impart with their students is to study context. This means that even though a student believes that something is wrong, it is important to understand why people felt this way at this time. These skills will teach a student to empathize with others and to understand that there are different perspectives and people have differing beliefs and it is important to not judge these point of views.
At the end of the day, teaching is both a formal and informal process. There are the lecture situations were teaching at times can be informative, but quite frankly boring. There are the more interactive lesson plans that allow students to comprehend the knowledge on their own rather than being given the facts. Personally, I believe that this is the teaching that we as educators should strive for everyday rather than hoping that our ideas have been passed on through simple verbal exchanges. However, there is also the very informal presentation of knowledge that happen through daily occurrences of happenstance. We as educators, despite the disrespect some students may feel, are still largely influential towards the growth and development of our students as adults. Through a mutual display of respect, and through the small conversations we may have with each other outside of the lesson plans, we are slowly shaping how our students will interact with his/her peers in the future. We are teaching these students how to behave and if we shrink from these responsibilities, then we are doing a disservice to ourselves and the future generations of our society. We are role models to our students, a source of knowledge and information about a particular subject field, and a guide towards helping students achieve both inside and outside of school. We are the epitome of teaching. We are teachers.
I believe that teaching is passing knowledge onto a student no matter what age that student is. Teaching is to interact, connect with, engage, and enrich the learner. Most of all, teaching is to learn. We need not forget that a teacher is also a college professor so it is possible to reach all students of all ages. Once a teacher is out of the classroom, it is his or her responsibility to be a respectable upstanding citizen representing the education field.
Matt, I like what you said about how teachers act outside the classroom. I think this is important, and sometimes forgotten. Although teachers are normal people, and do normal things, they need to think about their behavior/actions and who it would affect.
This is SO true! Have you seen any of the articles lately on what teachers put on social media sites? It amazes me how people dont connect teaching with the understanding of a career and being a role model citizen! There are things you just dont put out in public if you choose to do them!
I think everyone has a different definition of what teaching is and what it means. To me, teaching is enriching the lives of others. In almost any relationship or social interaction you can be taught, teach and/or learn something. If you think about it, parents can be a teacher to their children, a husband can teach his wife (or vis versa), etc.
Because I am going to school to be an educator, I believe that education should be one of the most important values in an individuals life. Teaching is not just about relaying information such as dates, facts, concepts, timelines, etc. Teaching is about taking that information and allowing students to think creatively, interpret, and analyze on their own. It is important to educate, but we are also building character, integrity, responsibility in these students.
I think to be a teacher is an honor. You are building and shaping the future generations.
Teaching to me means that I am sharing all that I know with others. For example, being a PE major and having all my knowledge about living well, keeping fit, and proper nutrition I am able to pass all that on to my students in hopes that they will pass what they learn on to others. Teaching is touching the lives of students in hopes that they will grow from what they learn and truly value the information so much that it inspires them to makes changes to themselves or to help others. I think there are a lot of aspects of teaching. To be a teacher I feel you have to be a supporter, a listener, a giver, a helper, a leader, and an inspirer. To teach is to be able to touch the lives of students in a way that they will never forget. Teaching is the passing of knowledge through different portals. For example, through the use of technology, communication, writing, and movement. All are ways of passing knowledge on through teaching. Teaching is a way of interaction. To be a teacher is very rewarding knowing that you have made a difference in someone(s) life. To be a teacher is not only to teach, but also to learn. As a teacher you teach students that come into your classroom but also, those students teach you. A teacher is always learning from their students just like their students are learning from them. The lesson is reciprocal.
For me teaching is gathering all the information in helping a student achieve a level of learning he or she would not otherwise reach. It is a process of helping students in their activities so they can be successful in the real world. Teaching is not only providing knowledge, it goes far beyond that: it is making impact in your student life.
To me, teaching has to do with experience. Teaching is providing new experiences to students that they can easily remember without too much thought. Too many times I feel like the measurement of if material is taught “correctly” is quantified by the successful act of number retention and regurgitation of facts. However, to me, teaching is more than that. Teaching has to do with having the students become better students. Whether that is showing the students how to study more effectively or sparking interest in a particular subject that they may pursue later in life. I think sometimes we placed teachers In these small defined categories i.e. History teachers should teach history and math teachers math and so on. However, teaching should involve more than just that. When a student leaves, my classes at the end of the year I hope they leave with a sense of increased need for inquire. I think true teaching takes place when students have not less questions to ask but more. It takes a true scholar and academic to be able to ask all the right questions. Therefore, for me, teaching is the able to expand the student’s intellectual ability to ask questions.
To me, teaching is sharing information with someone. In that sense, I firmly believe that a teacher does not just take it upon his or herself to dictate to a group of students, but that they learn equally from eachother. I believe that teaching is an active process and one that never really ends as is learning. I want to be a teacher that offers more than just a textbook, but an experience that is worth while and noteable. Teaching is not only sharing information, but giving it in such a way that is interesting and appealing. It is understanding that not every student will care about The Constitution, but finding a way to still reach those who don't so they understand it's influence on their lives. Teaching is harnessing creativity and using it to your advantage to make a 50-some-odd-minute period an adventure for each student.
Teaching is the process of one individual giving another individual the knowledge and tools that will enable them to be efficient at what ever the desired goal is that the individual is trying to achieve. There are plenty of different methods of teaching which is very beneficial because not everyone learns the same way and depending on what is being taught the "teacher" may have to switch up his/her style. To be a "teacher" one does not have to be a professional, anyone can be a teacher. Anyone that has useful information that can help an individual reach desired goals, become knowledgeable on specific topics or perfect a specific skills can be considered a teacher. Learning takes place everyday so in that case teaching is taking place everyday, its a never ending process.
ReplyDeleteI love how you discuss changing your style! This is very true when you think about teaching! You need to be on your toes and be able to see how the students react to your teaching.
DeleteBeing a history teacher, I believe it is my job to impart students with skills to be a productive citizen in society. Studying history allows a student to gain these skills. These skills include teaching students about perspective. Being a historian requires a student to step into another person's shoes and to understand that person's point of view as an aspect of that time. Another aspect history teachers impart with their students is to study context. This means that even though a student believes that something is wrong, it is important to understand why people felt this way at this time. These skills will teach a student to empathize with others and to understand that there are different perspectives and people have differing beliefs and it is important to not judge these point of views.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, teaching is both a formal and informal process. There are the lecture situations were teaching at times can be informative, but quite frankly boring. There are the more interactive lesson plans that allow students to comprehend the knowledge on their own rather than being given the facts. Personally, I believe that this is the teaching that we as educators should strive for everyday rather than hoping that our ideas have been passed on through simple verbal exchanges. However, there is also the very informal presentation of knowledge that happen through daily occurrences of happenstance. We as educators, despite the disrespect some students may feel, are still largely influential towards the growth and development of our students as adults. Through a mutual display of respect, and through the small conversations we may have with each other outside of the lesson plans, we are slowly shaping how our students will interact with his/her peers in the future. We are teaching these students how to behave and if we shrink from these responsibilities, then we are doing a disservice to ourselves and the future generations of our society. We are role models to our students, a source of knowledge and information about a particular subject field, and a guide towards helping students achieve both inside and outside of school. We are the epitome of teaching. We are teachers.
ReplyDeleteI believe that teaching is passing knowledge onto a student no matter what age that student is. Teaching is to interact, connect with, engage, and enrich the learner. Most of all, teaching is to learn. We need not forget that a teacher is also a college professor so it is possible to reach all students of all ages. Once a teacher is out of the classroom, it is his or her responsibility to be a respectable upstanding citizen representing the education field.
ReplyDeleteMatt, I like what you said about how teachers act outside the classroom. I think this is important, and sometimes forgotten. Although teachers are normal people, and do normal things, they need to think about their behavior/actions and who it would affect.
DeleteThis is SO true! Have you seen any of the articles lately on what teachers put on social media sites? It amazes me how people dont connect teaching with the understanding of a career and being a role model citizen! There are things you just dont put out in public if you choose to do them!
DeleteI think everyone has a different definition of what teaching is and what it means. To me, teaching is enriching the lives of others. In almost any relationship or social interaction you can be taught, teach and/or learn something. If you think about it, parents can be a teacher to their children, a husband can teach his wife (or vis versa), etc.
ReplyDeleteBecause I am going to school to be an educator, I believe that education should be one of the most important values in an individuals life. Teaching is not just about relaying information such as dates, facts, concepts, timelines, etc. Teaching is about taking that information and allowing students to think creatively, interpret, and analyze on their own. It is important to educate, but we are also building character, integrity, responsibility in these students.
I think to be a teacher is an honor. You are building and shaping the future generations.
Well said!
DeleteTeaching to me means that I am sharing all that I know with others. For example, being a PE major and having all my knowledge about living well, keeping fit, and proper nutrition I am able to pass all that on to my students in hopes that they will pass what they learn on to others. Teaching is touching the lives of students in hopes that they will grow from what they learn and truly value the information so much that it inspires them to makes changes to themselves or to help others. I think there are a lot of aspects of teaching. To be a teacher I feel you have to be a supporter, a listener, a giver, a helper, a leader, and an inspirer. To teach is to be able to touch the lives of students in a way that they will never forget. Teaching is the passing of knowledge through different portals. For example, through the use of technology, communication, writing, and movement. All are ways of passing knowledge on through teaching. Teaching is a way of interaction. To be a teacher is very rewarding knowing that you have made a difference in someone(s) life. To be a teacher is not only to teach, but also to learn. As a teacher you teach students that come into your classroom but also, those students teach you. A teacher is always learning from their students just like their students are learning from them. The lesson is reciprocal.
ReplyDeleteFor me teaching is gathering all the information in helping a student achieve a level of learning he or she would not otherwise reach. It is a process of helping students in their activities so they can be successful in the real world. Teaching is not only providing knowledge, it goes far beyond that: it is making impact in your student life.
ReplyDeleteTo me, teaching has to do with experience. Teaching is providing new experiences to students that they can easily remember without too much thought. Too many times I feel like the measurement of if material is taught “correctly” is quantified by the successful act of number retention and regurgitation of facts. However, to me, teaching is more than that. Teaching has to do with having the students become better students. Whether that is showing the students how to study more effectively or sparking interest in a particular subject that they may pursue later in life. I think sometimes we placed teachers In these small defined categories i.e. History teachers should teach history and math teachers math and so on. However, teaching should involve more than just that. When a student leaves, my classes at the end of the year I hope they leave with a sense of increased need for inquire. I think true teaching takes place when students have not less questions to ask but more. It takes a true scholar and academic to be able to ask all the right questions. Therefore, for me, teaching is the able to expand the student’s intellectual ability to ask questions.
ReplyDeleteWe talk a lot in all of our classes about the role of the teacher in the classroom and in children’s lives. We all understand that teaching is really important to the learning process. Teaching is many things to many people. Teachers have different styles and methods but in the end we all have the same goals. Teaching is transferring knowledge or understanding to others. As educators we often focus on the type of teaching that occurs in the classroom, but someone taught you to ride you bike, tie your shoe, cook, dance, play sports and the list goes on and on. Teaching knowledge is as essential part of the job of an educator but teaching skills and ‘hows’ is just as important. It may be a cliché but consider the expression ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.’ This is how we need to approach teaching. Teaching should provide skills and knowledge that will allow our students to go forth and do more than just what we have taught them.
ReplyDeleteLove that quote!
DeleteTo me, teaching is sharing information with someone. In that sense, I firmly believe that a teacher does not just take it upon his or herself to dictate to a group of students, but that they learn equally from eachother. I believe that teaching is an active process and one that never really ends as is learning. I want to be a teacher that offers more than just a textbook, but an experience that is worth while and noteable. Teaching is not only sharing information, but giving it in such a way that is interesting and appealing. It is understanding that not every student will care about The Constitution, but finding a way to still reach those who don't so they understand it's influence on their lives. Teaching is harnessing creativity and using it to your advantage to make a 50-some-odd-minute period an adventure for each student.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at what you all wrote! Great things to think about and great connections to the world!
ReplyDelete