Enjoy the season with wisdom

 

 

Practice or Malpractice?

 Have you heard about Examination Malpractice?. In case you've not. It is simply giving learners answers without allowing them to work through the process. (giving learners undue advantage).

Sheba Katapur said it all

This quote sees indulging in examination malpractice as a devilish act. Why? , Because, helping learners in the examination is not "helping"  but hindering their growth. 

Are we not seeing this act in our society today?

How can we guarantee now and the future with half-baked graduates and a fake workforce? How can development come when learners are not allowed and encouraged to develop problem-solving skills?  How can we eradicate poverty when learners who are supposed to take the baton drop it on the way because they do not want to go through the stress of working out the process? 

How can a society be technologically advanced if the workforce is compromised?

We cannot sow another and reap the other. Whatever we sow, that is what we will reap. 

Examination malpractice is a dangerous practice especially when teachers and school owners are involved. The cost of this practice is huge so we need to desist. Teachers and school owners are trained to build. They have no business with destruction. So they need to stay in our lanes.

Let us carefully consider the cost of allowing our learners to be involved in examination malpractice. 

That will mean fake graduates and a fake workforce. 

Learners with low critical thinking levels

No guarantee for proper health care and production. 

Imagine the cost of having a fake doctor, fake pilot, fake manufacturers, fake teachers, fake engineers.......the list is endless.

How can we end examination malpractice?

It is simple. By re-imagining our practices. Teachers need to transition from passive to active teaching and learning practices. Because active teaching will result in active learning. Learners should be actively involved in the learning business. They are stakeholders and have greater roles to play in the business of learning. They should not be sidelined but must be allowed to be actively involved through discussions, group learning debates, demonstrations, research, projects, flipped learning etc. They are the key players.

Learners must be allowed to take responsibility for their learning. When they do, they will build greater critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills and others are needed when they are required to apply what they have learned in a real context.

The video below 👇 is insightful

How to End Educational Malpractice by Jon 

Bergmann /TEDxVernonArealLibrary

Do we still need to fold our hands and allow the future to be trampled? Noo, not all.  

Say No to Examination Malpractice.

Shun examination malpractice 

Shut your door against it  

I leave you with this below 👇

Beyond your job description

 

Working beyond the job description is an important part of the organisational structure. Though  it may be silent in an organisation policy but it is always expected from the employee.

Most times, employees tend to stay within their job description. Some think that when they work beyond their job description, that they are being used.I don't understand that ....for real.

Going beyond the job description is where the gist is because every organisation desire workers that can add extra value. 

In the teaching profession, there is no exception. Infact,Working just within your job description as a teacher will cost you a reasonable promotion with time.

How can a teacher add extra value to his or her organisation?

As a teacher, do not be caged within your job description. Aside teaching your learners   you can do other things 

1.Voluntary learning support is a great thing in any academic institution. Learners thrive with this particular service.

Learning support encourage learners to learn in an authentic manner.With learning support,   the low and average ability learners  excel with high ability learners. In that case,every child will count and no  one is left behind.

In an academic institution where every child matters,growth is inevitable. 

2.Free professional training. As an educational leader,I have enjoyed this kind of service.It is always interesting for me to organise free training for my organisation. This is where all teachers gather together to learn about active teaching and learning skills and practices. This has helped to equip the teachers so that they can teach authentically. When teachers are improved,it automatically affect learning in

 a positive way.

3.You can mentor the learners. In mentorship programme, teachers support learners with words of encouragement that help them to navigate through the academic challenges and huddles of life.

4.Sometimes there are learners with hand writing issue.A teacher who is determined to add extra value to his or her organisation can help to arrest this

3.As a licensed driver, you can volunteer to drop off learners with the school bus if the need arise.

The list is endless.......

It is all about adding value. It is all about service

According to John C .Maxwell 

Teacher reflection, how important?

Reflective Teaching:an element of life-long learning  by Solomon AU Young /TEDxEduHK

Spark your learners with Project- Based Learning

 

Antonio Chekhov once said that "Knowledge is of no value unless you  put it into practice "

Then ,why are we still loading our learners with content? Why are we so engaged with traditional method of teaching? How far have we gone with the passive teaching method?

Is is not time to allow our learners to practice what they learned?

Why can't we give  them that opportunity to practice?

Why can't we embrace Project-based learning?

What is Project-based learning (PBL)?

This is the type of learning  that give learners the opportunity to connect with their environment. It is a great way to teach because students learn from their experiences. 

With Project-based learning, learners can make a product or render a service.

Making your teaching Project-based does  not mean that your learners should buy expensive materials .Simple materials in the environment can get it done.

Wondering how to kick-start with Project-based learning, here are  some tips 

Depending on your subject,learners can use materials as simple as cartons ,cardboards, papers to do wonders. 

As a biology educator,my learners do campaign. sometimes, I can tell them to design a poster to warn their friends against the dangers of poor waste management in the kitchen. You need to be specific. 

They can design a poster to promote environmental sanitation . Carry out a project on how to improve water supply in their school 

Design warning signs to encourage people to pay attention to such signs to avoid accidents. 

They can make red blood cell ,Kidneys, write a song about cell.The list is endless. 

Communicate with your learners appropriately .Let them know what to do.

Benefits of PBL

1.PBL outperformed the traditional method of teaching  because it promotes active engagement  which promotes authentic learning 👌 

2.PBL involve learners in real world problems that can lead to real problem solving. Therefore it promotes problem-solving ability. 

3.With PBL, learners think critically as they embrace their tasks.

4.It encourages student engagement and connectedness. 

5.Team work is enhanced 

6.PBL promotes excellence. WHEN handling a project, learners make mistakes   learn and improve. In that way, confidence is also enhanced. 

Do not waist  your 40 or 45 minutes talking.Get your learners actively engaged .Be project oriented .

Additional resources 

7 Examples of Project-based learning

Spark your learners with Research -based Learning

  

 

 

 

 Solution tree.com sees Research-based Learning as a "framework that helps to prepare students to be lifelong inquirers and learners".

Cambridge University Press view it as a learning-by-doing approach.

Both of these definitions have far-reaching positive effects on learning. For example, in the case of preparing learners to be lifelong inquirers and learners, students continue to study, ask questions and seek to learn new things. They keep studying and never retire even when they leave school. With learning by doing, learners transcend beyond the theoretical level of learning to practice. As quoted by Thomas Fuller,

" Knowledge is a treasure but practice is the key to it"

Research-based learning is an important Active Teaching and Learning Practice. It is a type of teaching practice that allows learners to begin with a curious mindset. With curiosity, learners critically think to find answers. It may be to find something new or discover ways to improve an existing one. This type of learning requires resources, materials and reference texts to explore relevant information, questions and challenges. Research-based learning questions passive teaching and learning but encourages learners to construct meaning. The approach improves the quality of learning and enables problem-solving ability in learners.

 In this type of learning, learners learn how to be a" productive society, not consumer society ".This is because it moves learners from their comfort zone to an active learning zone where critical thinking, brainstorming, and life-long learning thrive. One of the problems of our society today is that learners are moulded in teacher-colonized classrooms and are not trained to take responsibility for their learning. Learners leave school without a curiosity mindset. They prefer to regurgitate what was passed to them by the teacher instead of thinking.

Tell me how a society can transition from a consumer to a productive society where learners and school leavers need more time to be ready to stretch their thoughts, search, question options and continue learning.

As an educator, I realised that theory and practice are essential. My learners are constantly allowed to conduct research. 

As teachers, do not assume that the learning approach is restricted to tertiary institutions. Primary and

secondary learners can. They have the brain that can think. Just give them something within their age bracket and you will be amazed at the extent they can go.

.There is a need for a shift of paradigm and perspectives to meaningful teaching and learning practices like PBL so that learners can embrace lifelong inquiry and learning.

Help your learners to keep their minds open because 

"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."-----Malcolm Forbes

 Thinking about the benefits of research–based learning. Here are some tips

.    Critical thinking is enhanced as learners engage in research-based learning because they have to think to work the process to answer. This kind of learning does not give room for regurgitation of information but requires deep thoughts, findings and actions.

    Research-based- learning helps learners to be deeply involved in the learning process as they take charge of the learning. Credible resources, materials and reference texts are intentionally studied while searching. Learning skills and knowledge are enhanced

.    Promotes problem-solving ability because new things are discovered and the existing ones can be improved upon via research-based learning. The great improvements witnessed in the digital and electronic world result from research-oriented learning. What about the field of medicine? The recent discovery of the Coronavirus vaccine that brought relief to the disease that globally took away millions of lives in 2020 was a result of research.

   It promotes curiosity- With this type of learning, learners ask questions, and they ask why??/

Wondering how to deploy research-based learning, here are some tips

• .Decide to step aside and allow learners to take responsibility for their learning. Say no to teacher–centered learning. Be the facilitator and the guide. Do not hijack learning.
•     Build trust and believe that your learners can learn through research because you can only allow such an opportunity if you believe that they are capable
•  Open the door to the 4Cs:  Communication, Collaboration, Critical       thinking, and creativity.  

These skills have been explained in some of our episodes.

•   Embrace learners' engagement and allow your learners to brainstorm. Do not shut them down
•  Pick the topic, challenge, and question for exploration. Let the learners know what they are working on. Be precise. Communicate with your learners and allow them to be involved.

Additional resources

What is Research-based learning

Research-based learning

Stay tuned................................

Unconditional love,a special teaching technique

Unconditional love is an active practice which is very important in our lives. In learning platforms. It is one of the practices that help learners to navigate through the huddles of learning. 

Most times, we teachers tend to love high-ability learners more.No, that should not be so. We should endeavour to love our learners equally and unconditionally. By loving them unconditionally,I mean loving them with agape love. 

What is agape love? This is the kind of love that is selfless and unconditional. It comes with lots of encouragement, empowerment, and support for learners. It is a decisional kind of love and not emotional. You don’t need to see or get something to give something positive.

Agape love-oriented teachers add value to their learners without having to expect anything in return. They make conscious effort to support their learners and offer excellent practices to help them succeed in their academics.

With agape love, Teachers correct learners properly and ensure they give elevating feedback and not the one that will destroy them. The imperfections and flaws in learners do not scare unconditional teacher lovers because they have already seen the light at the end of the tunnel. When we love unconditionally, we build hope and faith which are essential tools in the journey of life.

As an educator, I have seen that love is the greatest gift I can give to my learners. I have  also seen learners with flaws and different kinds of baggage thrive because they are loved. In today's diverse and global educational setting, unconditional love is the key. Embrace it and do the needful. Endeavor to leave an indelible mark in the lives of your learners. Let them know that you are proud to have them

No wonder BeBe Winans said that “unconditional love liberates; love is the  reason why I do  what I do and so it is the greatest gift we have"

How do learners feel when agape love is involved?

 They feel valued, wanted, and trusted to deliver.  When they feel valued and trusted, they will be empowered to take responsibility for their learning. It all begins from the place of love .

Wondering how to practice agape love in your classroom, Here are some tips

Self-love- you have to love yourself and the teaching profession to an overflow so that you can have enough to pour into your learners

Understand that agape love is not an emotional kind of love but a decisional one.This will give you the enablement to intentionally show this kind of  love to your learners

Understand that it 💯 % unconditional and can be quite demanding sometimes. 

Be conscious of diversity .Know  that unconditional love is the language  to embrace diversities. 

Go with patience as you love your learners. Work hard and be ready to support. 

Equip yourself. Ensure you grow personally and professionally. Be a lifelong learner.

Ensure that the words you use are loving and supportive 

Finally love your learners unconditionally .Watch out for our next episode.........

Embrace new perspectives .Be a lifelong learner as a teacher

 

Always a Life-Long Learner By Maia Reed-TEDx (Lakeland University)

Life-long learning is a must-have for teachers. It is a special gift one can give to him or herself. Let us get that straight. Being comfortable at the level you began your teaching journey is not a great decision. As soon as you make lifelong learning a primary factor in your life, you will soar.

This type of learning is beyond school, it is a conscious effort by one to improve. To stop learning is destructive to personal growth and development. As teachers, we cannot thrive in the profession without constantly learning.

Being a lifelong learner indicates that you love the profession and that you are ready to equip yourself for authentic teaching. Not being a lifelong learner can be disadvantageous to yourself and the learners you are handling. Therefore, make a conscious effort to become one. It is voluntary but, it is a necessity if you want to remain relevant in any profession, not just teaching. Find a positive way to foster continuous growth and development in your life. Do not be rigid, get out of your comfort zone.

Yes, we are busy, no doubt about that. Personal, family, work, all of those, but then special attention should be paid to personal growth and development through lifelong learning. It will be woefully inadequate to live a life devoid of learning as a teacher because, under the standard of teaching and learning, your skill will be inadequate when set against the demands of effective teaching.

Let us even look at the meaning of lifelong learning

According to Dictionary .com, lifelong learning is the 'provision or use of both formal and informal learning opportunities throughout people's lives in order to foster the continuous development and improvement of the knowledge and skills needed for employment and personal fulfillment'

Albert Einstein sees lifelong learning as life, no wonder he said in his quote,

"Once you stop learning, you start dying." This quote reflects the pressing need for lifelong learning in today's world. It goes beyond having degrees in formal school, it involves a personal decision to improve even outside the parameters of formal education

We are in the digital age, everything is changing and we have to build the skills and awareness that are required to adapt properly. That can only be achieved if we continue to learn and not quit.

Lifelong learning is a process that should continue throughout a lifetime. It does not have an expiry date as long as you are alive.

Remember, ''The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.'’-----Alvin Toffler

Thinking about the benefits of being a lifelong learner, here are some tips

Life-long learning helps to address your learning needs

It enables a teacher to be ready to meet the needs of the changing world.

It helps you to improve the quality of your life and self-worth.

Lifelong learning offers you the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow (it helps you to keep abreast).How do you feel when you know that you know? Confident right

With life-long learning, you acquire skills that will help you to adapt to the changing technology in your workplace. You can learn a skill or improve on the existing ones

It increases your employability and earns you more money

Wondering how to be a lifelong learner, check out the tips

This is a busy world, so we try to balance personal, work, family, social life and so on:

·    Know what works for you- Identify your learning style, and know the best time to study.

·    Create an workable time management table

·    Self-taught learning- whether reading from the book (print or e-books), listening to audio, video, and so on

·    Attend workshops, seminars, and trainings. Do not be a resistor

·    Collaborate with your colleagues, Do not be an island

·    Ask questions, it is amazing the kind of knowledge we gain when we ask questions

·    Visit credible sites and blog posts

·    Sign up for newsletters from credible educational institutions and sites

·    Belong to subject-based associations. For example, a biology teacher who belongs to the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT). Most of these organisations organise incredible workshops and professional development conferences that will add immensely to your growth

·    Get a Coach, Mentor, or Accountability partner

·    Go back to school if you need to

Any disadvantage of refusing to be a lifelong learner as a teacher? I only know a big  one, you will be obsolete with time and your services will no longer be needed.

Take ownership of your personal growth and development. Be determined . Do not waste time because the world is changing, and technology is advancing.

Additional resources

What is lifelong learning?

How to build lifelong learning skills for the 21st Century workplace

 

 

Beyond teaching part 2

 

 We all have learners from different backgrounds and cultures.Different abilities and learning styles.It is our duty as teachers to teach these learners authentically. To do this,we need to go beyond teaching. There are several actions we need to deploy in order to drive teaching to authentic level.

As an educator, I 've come to realise that teaching is beyond active teaching and learning skills. It is driven by hope, faith and hardwork. 

Hope is that positive expectations we have.That level that tells us that our learners are capable of achieving excellence even if we can't see nor feel it at present .

There is need to keep hope alive. Believe that your learners are capable of becoming and achieving something great. 

With hope,we are energised to keep working on our learners' progress.  There is nothing as dangerous as hopelessness. It is a killer.Hopelessness leads to condemnation of learners. It gives us that ability to tag our learners wrongly.Hopelessness prevents a teacher from seeing the brighter tomorrow in  learners .It makes a teacher to be judgemental and myopic to the light that our learners carry.

According to Desmond Tutu

Faith on the other hand ✋ is the assurance that what we hoped for in our learners, all our positive expectations are already here.With faith,we are convinced that learners are already doing well in all their endeavours irrespective. 

Hardwork is crucial in teaching and learning, there are many things to do.So many nitigrities to handle.

With Hardwork  hope and faith are kept alive.So a teacher who is not hardworking should better rethink his or her actions.Hardwork enables us to deploy all the active teaching and learning skills.Hard work helps us to give feedback and assess the works of our learners. The list is endless..........

Learners' academic excellence cannot happen accidentally, It comes with hardwork .Teachers have to play their role.

Like PELE said

We cannot afford to do the work  anyhow because we are raising future leaders.We need to be deliberate and intentional about hardwork because it is very essential. 

Finally,keep hope and faith alive.Do not kill them.

Watchout for our next episode next week.Bye

Creativity-One of the 4Cs

 

Using creativity to inspire learners is one of the greatest teaching skills. In creativity, learners are given the opportuning to practice what they have learned and use it in other contexts outside the classroom wall. It is far beyond memorization but involves deeper thinking and enhancement of skills using creative methods and techniques. It is driven by creative thinking and innovation. Innovative learning experiences enable learners to be deeply involved in the process as they learn to solve problems from different perspectives. Involving in the problem-solving process is crucial. This is because knowledge and learning experiences are widened because they now think beyond others. That is where the power lies. Creativity has been with man since time immemorial. I guess that is one of the reasons we are still here

What is creativity in Education, Click here –https://theeducationhub.org.nz/what-is-creativity-in-education/#:~:text=Creativity%20is%20the%20interaction%20between,as%20a%20tangible%20physical%20object).

Albert Einstein said” Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought

That means that creativity comes with a peculiar type of thinking that is beyond or outside the general thought. It is a must-have if we actually want authentic learning to take place.

Creative learning ushers learners to Creative thinking which gives them the room to find solutions and make a positive change.  What is the essence of thinking if we cannot use it to solve problems?

During creative learning, learners not only think but think strategically and focused because their aim will be to break the limitations as they explore ideas, and weigh options that will launch them to learning breakthroughs.

`Creativity is not a function of good grades, stating of facts, and even memorization as I‘ve said earlier. It is all about allowing learners to bring their creative thoughts to the table-.putting their thoughts into practice

 Teaching learners what to think is deeply rooted in our education system. The teacher stands in front of the classroom with her power to restrict learners from taking the responsibility of learning which we all know belongs to them. Learners will not have a choice but to absorb what they are given, and think about what they are given. That’s all. The system does not encourage creativity. Learners are not allowed to think freely. So, they will just settle with anything short of creativity. Some of our questioning methods are not even enough to promote creativity.

The main aim of creativity is to solve problems and cause a positive change.  Creativity may not be as big as the invention of the electric bulb by Thomas Edison at first. Learners can showcase creativity with something as small as drawing, painting, and some kind of simpler designs. With time it will boom, just keep inspiring your learners with every creative effort you have.

Want to know the benefits of creativity? Here are some tips

Used for problem-solving

Used to bring about positive change

Promotes innovation- learners thrive well in open-ended thinking

Learners learn to be more adaptable

It Increases productivity

It enhances growth, which means there is no one way to approach a challenge

Thinking about how to promote creativity in the classroom? Here are some tips

Be creative as a teacher. Learners watch you   because you are their living model

Sow the seed of creativity in them by giving them the chance to create

Ensure you ignite the curiosity of your learners with open-ended questions

Use project and research-based learning

Give them feedback about their work to encourage them and tell them you love their work(s) and why you love their work(s)

To learn more on this Click here-Creativity in Education

Critical Thinking Skill-Another one of the 4Cs

 

Brian Oshiro (TEDxXiguan)

Critical thinking is one of the 4Cs used to inspire learning. It is one of the most essential skills in teaching and learning. Critical thinking involves giving a deeper thought to learning. This skill is beyond knowledge absorption, memorization, recalling of facts, and interpretation of information. Critical thinking skills embrace deeper and more creative thoughts that will yield meaningful outputs. 

It is a skill not only applicable in teaching and learning but our everyday lives.

Our learners are neither containers nor knowledge-absorbing materials but rather active individuals capable of meaningful constructions. Therefore they should be taught and allowed to think critically while learning. It is a beautiful thing to allow learners to walk the process before arriving at the answer. Critical thinking skill is one of those skills that will authentically help learners navigate through the process of problem-solving. In a diverse world like ours, critical thinking is one of the skills that we can use to deal with the challenges that come with it.

From the perspective of Walden University, 'Critical thinking goes beyond memorization, encouraging students to connect the dots between concepts, solve problems, think creatively, and apply knowledge in new ways. Despite myths that critical thinking skills are only applicable to subjects like science and math, the reality is that these skills—which are based on the evaluation and application of knowledge—are not only vital for success in all subject areas but everyday life as well

Passive learning has lost its grip, and the era of active learning has come to stay. Our learners need to learn how to think and not what to think.

How then can Critical thinking be taught? Here are some tips

1. A teacher should have a wider knowledge of critical thinking skills and understand Bloom's taxonomy and hierarchical order before he or she can be able to teach the skill to the learners. If you do not have adequate knowledge of critical thinking skills (Lots –Lower Order Critical Thinking Skill and HOTS –Higher Order Critical Thinking Skill), you may not be able to create the right activities that can trigger and promote Critical thinking skills in learners.

2. Encourage learners to lead learning –This will enable you to relinquish the learning power to the learners and stand as a guide. When learners know that their opinion counts, they will learn to take charge by thinking deeply because the responsibility has been conferred on them to lead learning.

3. Use questioning skills–. Socrates emphasised the power behind questioning skills. Questioning skills evoke curiosity in learners. When learners are curious, their opinions are evoked and they begin to look for solutions as they try to solve problems. Open-ended questions are the best. Take time to build your questions, do not settle for state and list, Ask learners questions that will shift them from their comfort thinking zone such as remembering where they can only settle with memorization. Properly created questions with Bloom's taxonomy in mind are capable of pulling learners from lower to higher-order critical thinking skills.

4. Promote decision-making- Learners on the verge of making decisions weigh ideas and options to know which to arrive at.

5. Deploy collaborative learning- This type of learning exposes learners to constructive thought processes as they work together. It can be done through group work and discussion. Learners' thinking is expanded as they discover that there are many ways to solve a problem.

6. Encourage creativity-Spark deep thinking by giving learners what to create, it could be in the form of a project, making of models, presentation, writing, etc

For additional resources on how to teach critical thinking skills, click here-https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-elementary-education/resource/seven-ways-to-teach-critical-thinking-in-elementary-education  (Walden University)

Are there benefits of Critical thinking skills? Yes. Click here to learn more 👉THE IMPORTANCE OF CRITICAL THINKING IN EDUCATION  (Rahul Education)

Additional resources

Critical Thinking  (The Glossary of Education Reform)

Critical Thinking  (Centre for Teaching and Learning- Western University)

A deep dive into critical thinking (part 1) – what is it and how is it taught?  

(Cambridge University Press & Assessment)

The power of Collaborative Learning

 

Creating a better future through collaborative learning -TEDx-Maddie Edwards

The power of Collaborative Learning

Collaboration is one of the 4Cs used to inspire our learners. It is one of the 21st-century skills and among the most essential tools in teaching and learning.

According to Unesco, collaboration is a process through which learners at various performance levels work together in small groups toward a common goal. It is a learner-centered approach derived from social learning theories as well as the socio-constructivist perspective on learning.

It can be to work on a separate or shared activity; both contributing to a common goal. The main aim of cooperative learning is not to promote competition in the classroom but to encourage constructive arguments, findings and meaning as learners engage authentically. It is the type of learning where learners collaboratively use their independent powers to relate with their peers authentically. During collaborative learning, learners find answers by working through the process. It is an active process driven by -self-empowerment, mutual respect understanding and teamwork.

Hellen Keller once said" Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much"

This is exactly what collaborative learning is. Learners brainstorm, learn new ideas, and evaluate options with an outcome that will positively improve learning.

Interested in knowing the benefits of Collaborative learning? Here are they

1. Collaborative learning helps learners cultivate and nurture the habit of self and mutual respect

2. Research has shown that shared learning enables learners to construct meaning

3 Collaboration helps learners to use their strengths and skills to relate authentically with their peers.

4. It promotes confidence in learners as they relate authentically with their peers

5. It promotes team spirit.

5. Collaborative learning makes learning fun. Learners not only learn but enjoy learning as well. This will make them build greater learning interest and enthusiasm

6. Collaborative learning enhances learners' communication skills and the ability to learn from one another.

7. With Collaborative learning, learners build authentic relationships outside the usual classroom friendship.

Thinking about using collaborative learning in your classroom, here are some simple tips

1. Before the lesson, choose a creative learning task. It can be a separate or shared task.

2. Ensure the resources learners will need to effectively engage are available. Communicate with your line manage on time for resources required.

2. Carefully plan the task you will want your learners to engage with; whether a separate task or shared activity, just plan. Ensure the task is such that will enable the learning goal to be achieved.

3. It is advisable to present more than one task to the grouped/paired learners and allow them to choose. Two groups or paired learners can choose the same task and it is fine.

3. Ensure the task will be fun, enhance learning flow and can be achieved within the allotted learning period (do not engage your learners with a boring task that is not achievable).

4. Pair the learners or group them and let them know that they are not competitors but learners who work together to achieve a common goal. Learners should know that they are accountable to each other and should neither work against each other nor individualise the task to achieve the goal. Let them know that it is all about 'We win not I win'.

5. Effectively communicate with your learners. Let the learners know what they are to do .Display the rubrics and the assessment criteria. Do not assume and keep your learners in the dark. That is not part of the deal.

Thinking about some creative collaborative learning activities, here are some

·    Project or research-based learning activities are great ways to promote collaborative learning. They promote interactions which enable learners to think critically and solve problems. These kinds of activities enable learners to conduct some findings on the problem they are solving and encourage active engagement as they work through the process. Both Project and research-based activities are capable of promoting problem-solving skills.

·    Puzzles enable learners to think deeply and find connections or missing links. Puzzles enable learners to work through the process of arriving at the answer.

·    Presentation- enables the paired or group members to actively contribute toward the success of their presentation. They pull resources together to work it out

·    Class discussion is boosts collaborative learning .Here, learners interact effectively to contribute their thoughts and ideas in carrying out their task.

Wondering about your role as a teacher as learners collaborate? Here is the thing

No doubt, collaborative learning reduces stress for the teacher but that does mean you should go on sabbatical. While you enjoy the workload relief, ensure you did not drop your role as a guide. Monitor the groups as they work and check in with individuals. Participate in the feedback on the group work and encourage their efforts by motivating them intrinsically. Reward the process and the outcome. Display their work to inspire them. Above all, maintain discipline in the classroom and ensure no one is victimized by any form of microaggression.

Are there promoters of effective collaborative learning? Yes, here are some factors

1.The belief system that learners should lead learning. Once a teacher's mindset is wired like that, collaborative learning will be possible

2.Teacher awareness- The teacher's knowledge and application of collaborative learning is crucial. That means that if you do not know anything about collaborative learning, you can learn. There are lots of credible free online resources in regard. Workshops and trainings are useful.

3- Learners' awareness - Learners' collaborative learning skills is highly important both in the classroom and in the outside world. The teacher should educate the learners about this skill. They should understand that the skill is not a competition arena but one where everyone learns from each other to achieve a common goal. Learners should know that in collaborative learning, both the process and the outcome are crucial, They should know that the skill is driven by mutual respect and understanding; Nobody should sit down for others to do the work. Everybody must be involved.

4. Availability of technology- The advent of technology proves the possibility of school away from school. It shows that interactive learning is possible with learners in different geographical location- Technology fosters connectedness in learners and It nullifies the fact   that distance is a barrier. We all witnessed the efficacy of technology in the promotion of collaborative learning during the 2020 pandemic

5- Availability of resources- like books, functional library

6- Adequate sitting arrangement.

7. Availability of power

Inhibitors-Here are some of the factors that can inhibit effective collaboration

1.    The belief system that teachers should lead learning-(killer mindset)Learners are not allowed to contribute nor talk during lesson-Knowledge absorbers

2.    Teacher ignorance, Change resistors

3.    Learners' ignorance- Seeing collaborative learning as a competition ground

4.    Lack or poor professional development

5.    Lack of technology

6.    Poor power supply

Additional resources

https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/collaborative-learning-science-behind-it/

(Collaborative learning: the science behind it, and why it works)

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/cambridge-handbook-of-cognition-and-education/collaborative-learning/E6BFC590620CE962113239D4B4B94D5F

(Collaborative Learning.The Benefits and Costs)

https://blog.cambridgeinternational.org/all-together-now-assessing-collaboration/

(All together now: assessing collaboration)

 

Effective Communication .A powerful teaching and learning tool

Click here to watch the video💚👉The Art of Effective Communication by Marcus Alexander Velazquez.TEDxWolcottSchool

Communication has been a routine activity of man. We communicate with our family members, friends, colleagues, church members, groups, etc. Teaching and learning; not exempted.

According to the dictionary meaning: Communication is simply imparting or exchange of information by speaking, writing and some other medium.

Features of Effective Communication

Mutual respect

In teaching and learning culture, there is something called the Teacher-Learner Relationship. Effective communication is one of the powerful forces that drives this relationship. It is possible for a teacher to just pass and receive information from his or her learners, talk and write for them without effectively communicating. Effective communication is beyond all of that, it involves mutual respect as the entry point, eye contact, body language, and Positive verbal and non-verbal expressions. Respect is in both ways. Teachers are to have respect for learners in their dealings and in turn, receive that from their learners. With respect, learners are greatly valued. Once they are valued, eye contact and body language, verbal and non-expression will be positive. Yeah

I must state here that we need to be careful with our non-verbal expressions because it speaks volume. It can be interpreted wrongly

According to Zig Ziglar "In many ways, effective communication begins with mutual respect, communication that inspires, encourages others to do their best".

When communication is not accompanied with respect, it might be understood as harassment and over time, the person or people involved at the other end might begin to lose interest. In the teaching and learning culture, communication must be carefully handled to make it effective.

Teachers need to communicate effectively with their learners and at the same be ready to allow their learners to communicate with them. It is never a one-man show.

In my years of practice as a teacher, I have taught a lot of learners and most times when you ask them what they admire in teachers, they will tell you that they love the way some teachers or a particular teacher talks to them' That is an undertone feeling of being respected and loved. So communication is a carefully planned concept that must begin with great tone and respect.

Everyone wants to be valued. Word usage tones and body language should be paid attention to.

Effective communication should embrace Listening

Effective communication must involve listening. Both parties must know when to pause talking and listen. This requires self-discipline. Most times in teacher-centered settings, teachers tend to talk more without allowing the students to make any contributions. Learners tend to bottle their opinions in this kind of setting because their opinions do not count much. This is not supposed to be so because, in a communication setting, the voice of both parties matters. So, in the teacher-learner relationship, I encourage teachers to listen to the learners too because they are part of the relationship.

Effective communication should be encouraging, motivating, and inspiring

.The choice of words matters in teaching and learning. In our communication with our students, we should endeavour not to use words or actions that will tear the learning walls down. We should try as much as possible to give feedback that will improve learning. Praise the learners in their areas of achievement, motivate and reward them intrinsically, and encourage them to work on their weaknesses. Words and actions are powerful. With effective communication, we inspire our learners to participate in activities they may ordinarily not want to participate in. There is nothing as powerful as inspiring our learners because it brings out the best in them. Fuel your learners with, encouraging, and inspiring words. Do not forget that. Effective communication should be able to bring out learners from yes or no corners and put them in a platform where they can be able to express themselves. Learners should not be held hostage

Effective communication should foster a positive connection

Communicating with our learners involves building a powerful connection. It is one of the best ways learners positively connect with their teachers and until that link is established, there may not be a smooth flow in learning. Teachers want their learners to understand them and learners want to be understood. So it is not all about talking, talking but effectively interacting with your learners in an inspiring and meaningful way. Effective communication is crucial in a teacher-learner relationship because without it, that link might not be established and learning may not take place as expected.

Mutual understanding

Of what use is communication when both parties do not understand themselves? Teachers should ensure that learners understand them and learners should acknowledge that they understand. If your learners cannot use the information you provide to work, it does not make sense.

In the classroom and outside the classroom, information, feelings, Ideas, and thoughts are exchanged. Where to sit and what to do during the lesson should be effectively communicated to learners. They should understand clearly the rubrics and the criteria for assessment Class rules should be clearly stated. The timetable should be handy to avoid confusion of any kind. On no account should learners be left in a dilemma. There must be an effective communication flow between the teacher and the learners.

.As a teacher, do not use what we call in quote "big words). Use words and sentences that learners can run with. Do not try to be too difficult. Explain things the way they should be. Understand and be understood as well. Do not give your learners bulky notes to write. Make your note concise and meaningful. Simplicity is the key. Remember, it is all about learning. Encourage your learners to politely tell you where they are not clear at any point in time. Help them to build that confidence. To foster mutual understanding there must be an effective communication flow.

Effective communication embraces diversity

Tony Robins said it all

"To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others."

The academic world is a diverse one with learners from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. That must be consciously remembered. Every teacher should endeavour to respect learners' differences in the course of communication to avoid subtle insults and victimization which might negatively affect learning. A lot is involved in effective communication. How the teacher passes the information is important but more importantly is how the learners receive the information. We can respect our diversity through positive verbal and non-verbal expressions, pictures, and so on

Can effective communication skills be learned? Yes

In agreement with Brian Tracy

"Communication is a skill that you can learn. It's like riding a bicycle or typing. If you're willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.

It is all about determination and hard work. Be intentional about professional development and get trained in that aspect. Study wide and attend workshops.

*There are a lot of credible online resources in that regard. Utilize them and be better*

Additional resources

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311857862_The_Role_of_Communication_Skills_in_Teaching_Process

(Effective communication skills: Successfully share your vision and ambition)