Today, in Windsor, discussion is dominated by two burning topics, both summed up in this Facebook photo from Randy Mulder via @WeatherNetwork:
Teachers Do Stupid Things Too
‘Teacher You Are Stupid!’ – Cultivating a Reflective Disposition
Thomas S.C. Farrell has had his own stupid teaching moments, and once a student even told him he was stupid to his face. He used it as ammunition to reflect on his teaching practice:
Reflective language teaching involves teachers not only systematically gathering data about their teaching and using this information to make informed decisions about their practice, but also involves a particular reflective disposition. This disposition comprises of three essential attitudes of open-mindedness, responsibility, and whole-heartedness, all of which can make reflection meaningful for the practitioner. Reflection thus implies a dynamic way of being both inside and outside the classroom.
Read more from Farrell’s article here.
Teaching Mistakes From the College Classroom
Back in 2010, Faculty Focus asked college teachers to share their worst teaching mistakes for the purpose of educating others what not to do. The result was a special report collecting 15 short articles covering topics from mismanaging unhappy students to cross-cultural naivety. In one of these articles, Megan S. Grayce shares four tips for beginning instructors, among which is a plea to use lesson plans (and we agree):
I can’t stress enough how much better your classes will go if you use a lesson plan. There are many forms of lesson plans available on the Internet, just pick one that works for you or your college may already provide one they prefer you use. I suggest you select a lesson plan that you can fill in electronically and save as a document you can edit at a later date. Lesson plans aid the instructor in defining the objectives for the class, staying on track, achieving the stated objectives, and avoid frustrations.
Read more from the complete guide here.
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