Last class we talked a lot about cooperative learning and what it means for the class. Rather than just putting students in groups, cooperative learning ensures that every member of the class has an important, necessary role in the group. The main point being; the job can not be done without participation from everyone.
Cooperative learning changes the whole "mantra" of the classroom from individual learning to learning as a team. This of course changes the teacher's role in the classroom from being the "boss" to being a leader. If you take a look at the picture above, you will see the main differences between a boss and a leader. Leaders are coaches, they give credit to the classroom and they say "we" and "let's go" rather than "I" and "Go do this".
It is important as a teacher candidate to think about where I fall on this spectrum. We have to go back to some of our earlier classes and remember that the students are always out top priority! Its not about how great of a teacher you are, but how well your students learn and can apply their knowledge. I feel like there were some teachers in my high school that cared more about their teacher image and less about the students in their classes. The bottom line is that if you focus on students and help them understand the material in ways that matter to them, you ARE a successful teacher. Its not about being noticed, but knowing at the end of the day that you did all that you could to lead your students to the next level (whether its the next grade, college, the job field...).
Cooperative learning changes the whole "mantra" of the classroom from individual learning to learning as a team. This of course changes the teacher's role in the classroom from being the "boss" to being a leader. If you take a look at the picture above, you will see the main differences between a boss and a leader. Leaders are coaches, they give credit to the classroom and they say "we" and "let's go" rather than "I" and "Go do this".
It is important as a teacher candidate to think about where I fall on this spectrum. We have to go back to some of our earlier classes and remember that the students are always out top priority! Its not about how great of a teacher you are, but how well your students learn and can apply their knowledge. I feel like there were some teachers in my high school that cared more about their teacher image and less about the students in their classes. The bottom line is that if you focus on students and help them understand the material in ways that matter to them, you ARE a successful teacher. Its not about being noticed, but knowing at the end of the day that you did all that you could to lead your students to the next level (whether its the next grade, college, the job field...).
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that the teacher's role is different with cooperative groups. That they take the role of a leader and not a boss. The one thing that I have learned though out this semester is that in no situation should the teacher be the boss. It is not just your classroom as a teacher but the classroom is the students and yours. The mentality some teachers have about being the boss creates a power struggle within the classroom. And if there is a fight for power how much learning is truly happening?
Hi Jess, thanks for the post! I think it really touches on one of the central themes of the course. A boss asks for things, a coach provides support. The idea that writers need coaches came up in 445, and I really like that idea. It sets us up to be more invested in student learning.
ReplyDelete