Whatever our hopes and aspirations for ourselves as teachers, one common thread undoubtedly binds us. We’d all like our classrooms to be “intellectually active” places where highly effective, student centered learning can occur. There are many important qualities that I hope would characterize my future classroom:
- Curiosity and Inquisitiveness- Curiosity plays a huge role in the outcome of learning. If a learner enters any learning activity with little to no natural curiosity, prospects for meaningful interaction with texts, media, and specific tasks are bleak. In my classroom, students direct their own learning by questioning the world around them and lessons flow from lessons that probably were not even in my plans to begin with. Asking questions is the best proof available of a student’s interest and the teacher’s teaching effectiveness.
- In my classroom, Questions will more important than answers. According to Heick (teach thought), “questioning is the art of learning”. When good questions are asked, learning takes place via the student-teacher interaction. During our Math curriculum course, Trevor encouraged us to ask ourselves, “What questions can I ask about this problem”. At first it was strange, but then I realized the power that questions about questions have! We as teachers need to model what good questioning looks like, and how we reason out with questions, then encourage our students to do the same. Naturally, it makes sense that if good questions should lead the learning, there should be value placed on these questions. Questions can be used for assessment to distribute points or marks based on level of critical thinking students put into them. This type of activity raises the bar for student engagement and learning.
- Ideas galore and variety of learning models- Ideas for lessons, reading, tests, and projects can come from anywhere. As a teacher, I try to keep an open mind – inspiration can come from anywhere and I constantly remind myself to try new things. Hopefully, by projecting this onto my students, they too can be inspired to try new things. In my classroom, students learn both experientially and theoretically. I will encourage hands-on investigation and project-based learning, video conferences and eLearning, professional and cultural speakers/mentors, field trips, parent involvement, peer-peer learning and more.
- Concrete, real life basis for learning- Students learn better when there is something concrete for them to relate their curriculum content to. Therefore, I hope to create a classroom where learning can be integrated across multiple disciplines as well as at home and in the community. Students eventually leave their academic world and enter the real world and they take their learning with them. Curriculum needs to make sense to them when they are out in the community. Outside of culture and tradition, education is one of the most effective tools for providing students with a framework for viewing the world around them. Therefore, it is important for students to be able to relate school learning to cultural and social ideals and critically think about how these different aspects intersect.
- Knowing my students- one of the most important thing I hope to achieve in my classroom is a strong relationship and genuine interest in all my students regardless of background or circumstance. From the very first day of class, I will try to figure out which of my students need more attention—where they are at their learning quotient. I will try to gauge where they need to be at their reading level, or readiness for new material, for instance. This will allow me to personalize and pace my lessons accordingly. My goal is not to promote equality, rather equity. Each student is different and I hope to provide an environment where each student will have a fair chance to realize his/her full potential.
- Arrangement and setting- is an important aspect for promoting student autonomy and learning. My students will be encouraged to sit in groups which are dynamic, so that engagement and cooperation with all different classmates can occur. Students will be empowered by peer collaboration and group work, sharing information with each other, gallery walks and peer feedbacks. Moreover, classroom walls will be an exhibition of student work and achievement. This will ensure that students remain accountable, responsible and enthusiastic about what they are learning.
- Assessment- in my classroom will be persistent, authentic, and transparent. According to Heick (teachthought), “When it comes to assessing your students’ learning, your goal, should be to chaff out the “good students” from the “good thinkers.”” Students are likely to engaged in something that has meaning to them personally, so assessment needs to be meaningful to them. When they understand why they are being tested, how they will be tested and what’ s in it for them and their future, they may be more inclined to do the necessary work to excel. Moreover, employing an array of assessment techniques such as classroom participation, testing, assignments, presentations will ensure students success.
- Organic/dynamic learning- this means relearning how to learn. This comes with the realization that there is never one way to learn. I aim to keep challenging myself and students to learn and pick up new learning habits. Nothing is ever fixed in stone, and you can always work to break bad habits, improve not so good ones or just explore a new method of taking in or engaging with information. By modelling effective learning habits, I hope to inspire the same attitude in my future students.
- Welcoming classroom climate- This means creating a hospitable environment which fosters respect and empathy and understanding. All students feel welcomed and appreciated for their uniqueness, opinions and contributions. Students listen to each other, take turns, build each other up and value the contributions that everyone make to classroom.
- Practice & effort- There is an old saying, “practice makes perfect” that I believe would be characteristic of my future classroom. I want my students to reflect on their work, revisit old problems with new insights, learn from mistakes and practice what they have learned. Students need ample opportunity to practice and apply their knowledge in order for them to fully grasp multiple concepts and I hope my classroom would provide such an environment.
The reality is, our ideal classroom may never come to pass, but it doesn’t mean that we should not always strive to achieve it. One of the most important characteristic for a teacher is a commitment to life-long learning. This means continually taking steps to better yourself in all aspects of curriculum and practice -performing research and revising plans so that as the years go by, you are that much closer achieving your ideal.