Roles_and_Responsibilities_of_a_Teacher

PREPARING TO TEACH IN THE LIFE LONG LEARNING SECTOR COURSE ASSIGNMENT QUESTION 1 WEEK1 Please write a 500 word essay on what you consider to be the roles and responsibilities of a teacher ' IDENTIFYING Traditionally a teachers role has been as a “purveyor of information, the fount of knowledge, but now a modern teacher is a facilitator, a person who assists students to learn for themselves” (Quote - Teaching Training and Learning). Students could all be at different stages of the learning process and as a teacher I need to be aware of the capabilities and limitations of students in my class. Individuals all learn in different ways and at different paces, not always at the pace of their teacher, therefore care needs to be taken to match their needs. Adults have a wealth of experience, unlike children and can plan their own learning better and no two students are the same, so an early assessment of their ability is essential. An assessment can be done on open evenings (before enrolment) as an aptitude test or from previous exam results as it is done in my environment. Also, further needs are assessed and additional support and help can be offered. PLANNING AND APPROACH As a teacher planning lessons and indeed a full course is a requirement – a scheme of works. As a teacher a full sound knowledge of your own subject is essential to the design of the course and lesson plans as a result will enable you to identify all course material and aids before starting to teach. Student individual learning plans (ILP) along with monitoring will identify any weakness and where extra help maybe required. Qualities that are necessary for a good teacher are being “enthusiastic, warm and approachable “ and the “teaching attributes that are required are have clear aims and objectives, be a subject expert and be open to other views” (Quote – Teaching Training and Learning). DELIVERY The way in which you deliver the information as a teacher will change as the course progresses. Some students will benefit from visual aids, others from various different forms of delivery. Experimenting in keeping the students stimulated and interested as the course progresses is vital for learning to take place; keeping the atmosphere calm and using questions and answers will help to determine that learning has taken place. Tutorial sessions, mentoring and one to one sessions also help to identify short falls in teaching and any personal problems not necessarily college/school related. Knowing the make up of the class with regard to sexuality, race and culture will help deter any chance of offending anybody with a misplaced remark or gesture. SUCCESS Teaching success is shown in exam pass rates but can also show weakness or problem areas. But, if ongoing assessments are pursued then problem areas can be highlighted and addressed before they affect the student and their ability to meet the requirements of the course. CONCLUSION A teachers roles and responsibilities are wide spread, covering a vast area ranging from tutor, social worker, mentor, guide etc. There are no defined limits to the role, with every passing week, month, year a new aspect is introduced to the role. Reference books - Teaching Training and Learning a practical guide. By Ian Reece and Stephen Walker - Teaching Today a practical guide By Geoff Petty