For any activity we do, there are side effects. Some that we like and are happy to have. Others we are not happy with and wish they don't appear. Teaching has its side effects too.
One of the bad side effects is that you sometimes expect students to be something. Something more. Is that right or wrong ? Good or bad ? Every time I walk into a class I go with expectations. Expectations of meeting a bunch of people who are motivated, who are fun and who show what it is to be 20. Of course you know that continuous lecture sessions can be monotonous. Still, at the early side of twenty, one should be trying to learn. Besides, the energy level is high and the capacity to grasp more than when you are on the other side of the curve. That is one way of looking at it. However, another way of looking at the same thing is this: how can I expect something mediocre of my students. That would be self defeating in the first place. For, as a teacher, I believe that my students are capable of more. So, it is my duty to expect more, get them to push themselves and realize that they can do more than what they imagined however within limits of their capacity. Also, in a way that they enjoy and makes the whole thing fun. So, what do you do to get them moving ?
There is however a good side-effect. The energy, the enthusiasm that you find in the 18-23 year olds. I may not be twenty but then it rubs off on any teacher. So, in the mind, as a teacher, it is easier to remain young. And that is a good thing, given that you need to do just half the amount of exercises and all the other things that people do to remain young.
So, we as teachers get so much more in the bargain. That's the perks of the job.
(This post was written the day before 'Remembrance'. Here, I speak about pushing them to do better - is that good or bad ?)
One of the bad side effects is that you sometimes expect students to be something. Something more. Is that right or wrong ? Good or bad ? Every time I walk into a class I go with expectations. Expectations of meeting a bunch of people who are motivated, who are fun and who show what it is to be 20. Of course you know that continuous lecture sessions can be monotonous. Still, at the early side of twenty, one should be trying to learn. Besides, the energy level is high and the capacity to grasp more than when you are on the other side of the curve. That is one way of looking at it. However, another way of looking at the same thing is this: how can I expect something mediocre of my students. That would be self defeating in the first place. For, as a teacher, I believe that my students are capable of more. So, it is my duty to expect more, get them to push themselves and realize that they can do more than what they imagined however within limits of their capacity. Also, in a way that they enjoy and makes the whole thing fun. So, what do you do to get them moving ?
There is however a good side-effect. The energy, the enthusiasm that you find in the 18-23 year olds. I may not be twenty but then it rubs off on any teacher. So, in the mind, as a teacher, it is easier to remain young. And that is a good thing, given that you need to do just half the amount of exercises and all the other things that people do to remain young.
So, we as teachers get so much more in the bargain. That's the perks of the job.
(This post was written the day before 'Remembrance'. Here, I speak about pushing them to do better - is that good or bad ?)
2 comments:
காம தாத்தாவை பற்றி ஒரு கட்டுரை
http://www.vinavu.com/2011/06/24/charu/
காம தாத்தாவை பற்றி ஒரு கட்டுரை
http://www.vinavu.com/2011/06/24/charu/
Some students are light hearted and may not be able to handle the stress.. Nowadays, students are not ready to accept the failure..:(
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