It’s important to take the time, now and again to refresh your classroom and give yourself the chance to be inspired so that you can be inspiring to your students. That’s the motto around here! Today, guest blogger, Nancy Parker, gives a few ideas to do just that! ~EMP
Many teachers wish to inspire their students; however, such a goal may appear difficult in certain settings. Here are some suggestions that may help you create a healthy environment for learning and fun.
1. Step Outside – Some teachers believe that teaching should only take place in a classroom; this is a poor position to take. If students spend a lot of time in a particular place, they may lose their momentum. They may believe that they cannot create anything or memorize something when they are sitting in a desk. A teacher can fight against boredom and repetition by stepping outside of the classroom. If the school has a garden, you can take students there. The students can study the flowers and other vegetation. They can simply look for inspiration for a story or other assignment. You can use this opportunity to move and get some well-needed fresh air. It is also possible to take students on walking trips to nearby places.
2. Integrate Technology – Technology is a fascinating subject for many people; students will be intimately familiar with many gadgets and other inventions. If a teacher wishes to keep students interested in an assignment, it is a brilliant idea to use technology. For example, a history teacher may wish to ask students to visit websites. These websites may provide pictures, videos, and other media centered on a specific time in history. The students may reward the teacher by paying attention. A textbook is less likely to garner enthusiasm or a positive response. There are so many ways to use technology in the classroom from tablets to apps to blogging. Technology gets students excited and engaged.
3. Ask the Students – If a teacher is looking to inspire students, it is a fantastic idea to ask the students for ideas. What methods would be acceptable to the students? What would they prefer to learn? The students may have some valid ideas, questions or they may simply wish to try something different. This may be a great opportunity to introduce an independent project where students choose what topic they want to explore and design a way to explore it. The teacher does not have to alter their lesson plan; however, he or she should remain open to changes. A teacher and his or her students may learn something new. It is necessary to be willing to adjust to the needs and interests of the class.
4. Use Variety – Variety plays a pivotal role in the classroom; if students do too much of one thing, they may become bored. They may assume that they do not need to do homework or put in a lot of effort. A teacher can prevent this by using a variety of tactics. One class may be devoted to cooking a meal; another class may be used to go on a field trip or draw pictures. It is an attractive idea to try different things. The students will be happy.
The atmosphere in a school is always changing; a teacher must stay aware of various teaching techniques in order to inspire students. While some traditional methods are acceptable, a teacher may wish to alter certain components. When a teacher tries something different, he or she ensures that students will be receptive. You will inspire students and change attitudes in the long run.
Author Bio
Nancy Parker was a professional full time nanny and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. Currently, she is sharing her expertise as content coordinator at Studyclerk.You can reach her @ nancy.parker015 @ gmail.com
I’m thinking my next post will be about variety. One frustration I have with posts about Flipped Classrooms and PBLs is that they seem to advocate only one approach to teaching.
Flip a lesson. Generate questions that lead to meaningful projects. Don’t expect that one particular approach will meet every student need for every objective.
Sometimes students just need a good story :).
Janet | expateducator.com