Week+3

Issues Wiki Week 3

Lindsay: So you want to be a teacher??? Me too!

Today we focused on the challenges in learning to be a teacher and we asked ourselves some pretty touch questions. "What is your theory of morality?" "What kind of theory will you need?" The one that got the workshop talking..."What should schools and teachers NOT be responsible for?"

Not sure about everyone else, but I found it quite challenging asking myself some of those questions.

I like the way the workshop was structured with "Think, Pair, and Share". I found that even as a 'grown up' it was a great way to focus on the task at hand and not just have an open discussion which can sometimes become sidetracked. The time allocated to silence or thinking really gives the effect of being able to digest what the issue or topic is in your own head. Moving into pairs then helps to share your view with one other person and to cement your opinion as well as form new ones. As a then open discussion, you could come up with some key words or topics from each pair.

The Key words from our group discussion were: Fun Learning Interactive Discussion and Play Encouragement Diversity Positively Challenging Influential Relationships Passion Individuality Approachable Respect Commitment

Which of these do you think is the most valuable to your classroom or to you as a teacher?

__**Steve:**__

Great question Lindsay!!!

Personally i think RESPECT is the most important element in both a teaching and classroom sense.

Firstly, respect in the classroom is critical. Without respect between fellow classmates, the working environment often lacks fluency and productivity. This is usually due to some children deciding that they are more important than others, which as a result drastically impedes on classroom progress.

Secondly, respect between the teacher and child in the classroom is equally as important. The relationship we as teachers develop with our children in the classroom will define how successful or unsuccessful we will be (this is my opinion of course). If we can gain the respect of each and every child in the classroom and set clear boundaries within our classrooms, then success as teachers will only be a matter of time. The point when my children want to work for me and not because of me (due to my position as teacher) will be a very proud moment in my teaching career and quite frankly I look forward to it.


 * __Heidi__**

I agree with Lindsay's comments in regards to this week's lecture, //**"Student Responsibility and Classroom Management",**// in the way that it raised challenging and thought prevoking questions about morality, the theory in which we will require to be successful teachers and what schools and teachers should **NOT** be responsible for.

My opinion is that the line between appropriate and innappropriate teacher behaviour and actions is clear. It is a black and white responsibility and acknowledgement on behalf of the teacher and the relationship in which they have with their students, not grey. Teacher's are in classroom to teach students and lead by influence.

Steve's response this weeks lecture and workshop was extremely relevant to classroom productivity, RESPECT. Classroom respect is imperative to any successful classroom or any other working environment. Without respect the classroom environment will dissintergrate rapidly and learning will be extremely hard to formulate and construct. This is where **//Classroom Rights//** ties in appropriately with the element of classroom respect.

This week's lecture clearly outlined 2 Kinds of Responsibility, personal (1 do the right thing), and communal (i encourage others to do the right thing). These are two vital elements in wich tie in perfectly with my earlier comment in regards to teachers leading by example. I feel that it is as simple as saying that children imitate the behaviour of particular individuals in which they look up too and that this is why it is crucial that teachers lead by example.