Connection for Learning!

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Recently I conducted a workshop for school teachers about how to increase Learning levels in the classroom. The experience was enriching for me in many ways! But more important thing I learnt was how essential it is to connect with the audience. The sessions are found useful and interesting by the audience only if there is a two way communication. Participants are going to remember the discussion, content and usefulness of the workshop for long term only when they are involved in the process. The involvement could be by asking questions, giving suggestions and their views on various aspects of the training and content.

Why am I writing something that all of us know? Isn’t it like re-iterating the code of conduct for an orator?

Yeah. No point repeating it. We all agree that workshops have to be two — way communications. Well, but do we feel the same when it comes to classroom teaching?

As a teacher, do we put our concrete efforts to connect with kids? Why only ‘chalk and talk’is acceptable there?

I am neither an expert nor am I evaluating any method of teaching. The method can be any, but the focus should always be to establish that connection with students so they can learn, question, suggest, collaborate and express their ideas with teacher and peers. Otherwise in this era of technology and free access where do we see the need of a school and a teacher?

School education is important for many reasons: relationships; learnings; global awareness; self-discipline; and for creating individuals with creative thinking processes and capacities. For students, teacher is a role model not because she teaches them but also because she adepts ways according to her children and takes an extra step which is more important than teaching and that is building relationship with students, understands them and connects with them.

Do you remember all the teachers of your primary school? No! you can’t remember all. But you surely remember those few who impacted you in one or the other way. Some teachers do face difficulty in building healthy relationship with their students. While reading about student- teacher connect, I came across an article by Nicholas Provenzano who is a school teacher himself. His article “Make Meaningful Connections with Your Students” can help teachers. According to him, teachers should use first five minutes to connect with her class. They can talk about their day, gaming, movies or anything else students wants to discuss. Attending extra-curricular activities with students and being available for students gain important connections with students that will help them with their problems, but also engage them in the classroom. You can browse his article from here.

By Janvi Soni — Educational Specialist (Member of Large Scale Assessment Team)

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