Learning and teaching is a simultaneous process that is ongoing for both teacher and student, individually or as a class. Engaged learning/teaching would then likely be the spontaneous initiation (of learning/teaching) from both parties, preferably mutual.
Contradictory to the definition of spontaneous, it is realistic to be aware that at times, the initiation is an unwilling effort by either the teacher or the student, likely due to internal or external factors. Laughing is contagious, thus good energy is infectious and with regards to engaged learning/teaching, I would say it's a good workout of both mind and soul for the student and teacher throughout the lesson.
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Dear Amit,
ReplyDeleteYes, jigsaw is useful in certain aspects but it is time consuming. It is difficult to complete in a normal 2-period lesson in classrooms. So the task cannot be too demanding especially for young secondary students who still lack the self-discipline. What's your take?
WooHL
Dear Andrea,
ReplyDeleteIn the process of juggling this blogging and another emailing task simultaneously, I mixed up your blog with Amit's. Sorry for this. Pls ignore this comment.
WooHL
Dear Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI've got the right blog now and shall write a few words to reflect my own thoughts:
It is interesting that you brought out the spontaneity vs intendedness issue. You are right that in many occasions we teachers have to masquerade in order to play a role which fits the circumstances and this includes the intended effort to engender an engaged learning enviornment. But if the effort produces fruit and the return is a win-win, then perhaps "spontaneity" would occur because both teachers and students will look forward to the same occasion. I think the problem is that because such phenomenon does not happen often for many reasons and realistically, it is always perceived as a myth. It remains as a challenge as to whether we can turn that myth into a fact. What is your take. Could you pls share.
WooHL
Dear Mr Woo,
ReplyDeleteI would say that for spontaniety to occur on a regular basis, the teacher has to be mature in dealing with the students who are at best consistent, otherwise teenagers are at large temperamental and can be hard to grasp.
The teacher remaining level-headed and putting behind yesterday's bad lesson and always initiating that genuine concern towards student would go towards building relationships with students (besides concentrating by and large on teaching only to complete syllabus) which is crucial.
As mentioned in the entry, it does takes two hands to clap and the teacher somehow have to be mature and take little offence at student's misbehaviour, and be interested to find out the root cause of the student's behaviour.
It is sometimes that in our minds, we inevitably decide to give up on a certain student or group of student in the class, yet we should then likely turn to other teachers who deal with these students too, and seek their advice and support. :)