Monday, January 26, 2009
Types of Talk
Often my CT tries to create the kinds of discussions talked about by Almasi and McGee. And I have seen instances where they have gone very well. However, the commonality that I see in the discussions that do not go well is her showing frustration with the students responses or lack there of. I can't say I blame her at times. I am sure after a long day of teaching it can be very hard to watch the information you have given your students go in one ear and out the other. Regardless, each time she shows her frustration (no matter how merited it may be) the students start to shutdown on her and the discussion. This is easy for me to say but perhaps if she took a deep breath or did some other act to regain her composure it would be easier for the discussion to continue. It might also help if she went over some expectations for her discussions with the students. For example, "Everyone needs to participate in some way to our discussions. It can be through asking a question, presenting a point of view, or adding to each others ideas." I was not in the classroom to see how her rules were set up at the beginning of the year but even if guidelines were covered it would be good to go over them again. If she wanted she could even get the students opinions on how to improve their discussions. They might be able to provide a lot of inside into why the system seems to fail at times. The main thing is for them to feel comfortable in an environment where they have some rules to make them feel secure as well as the knowledge that their teach will be patient with them and their learning needs. No one wants to open up and share their ideas when they are worried about getting yelled at or embarrassed.
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I agree with you that sometimes as we look at these teachers it easy for us to point out what we see going wrong. Is it because we are in this class discussing and reading about a lot of these issues? I think that this program helps us but exposing us to many pitfalls we might run into. Do you think it will help her if you discuss this matter with her? Maybe when you lead out your discussion you can highlight some of the important stuff we are learning and hope she catches on to it. Similarly to your class I feel that rules and guidelines should be practiced throughout the year, my class surely do need it. Going back to the discussion I also do agree that it should be an environment where those students feel it is safe to share and it can be a learning experience. Meaning they can benefit as a speaker as well as a listener. Hopefully maybe in our classroom discussion you might find some ways to help her without pointing out her faults.
ReplyDeleteIn teaching it is extremely difficult to maintain your patience and enthusiasm at all times. I cant imagine that your teacher wants to be frustrated or show that frustration to her students. Sometimes, it is simply impossible to hold back. Regardless, students have a need to please their teachers and get praised for good behavior. When a teacher shows frustration or impatience to a group of students it affects them deeply. It sounds to me like your teacher needs to re-evaluate her teaching strategies. A classroom should make students feel safe and comfortable. Without telling her directly that she is showing her frustration to her students, maybe throughout your next few months you can demonstrate better teaching strategies and maybe she will catch on.
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