My Teaching Philosophy

A few deeds benefit you after death and according to my religion educating is one of them. Although very much underestimated, this noble profession just may create the diffrence, break or make the future.

My teaching philosophy is one that I have developed based on my teaching and learning experience over the years. However, different situations and scenarios demand their own unique teaching styles. Therefore I am open to change.

Student Centric Teaching and Learning

The most important stakeholder in an education system is the student. Every student is unique and competent. One teaching methodology may work for one but not for another, which is why I feel it is important to engage a variety of teaching methods. For example, some students love to learn through team projects while others like a more individualistic approach like reading or answering past paper questions. Given the right guidance, necessary tools and mental stimulation, they can achieve clearly stated objectives within a specified amount of time.

Setting objectives

Objectives should be achievable in the set amount of time. Overall objectives are to be achieved in an entire school year while short-term objectives are to be achieved within a session. Both the teacher and the student must be clear on the expectations from one another in order to be effective. A well written objective should contain observable verbs such as ‘write’ or ‘explain’ instead of ‘understand’ or ‘know’. Some good  example objectives would be:

• To be able to create a chart demonstrating the use of input, output and storage devices of a computer system.
• To be able to draw and label a diagram of the heart with four chambers, valves and blood vessels by the end of the lesson.

The importance of objectives cannot be overemphasized. Objectives create direction and focus and also enable both the student and the teacher to assess themselves on a personal level immediately instead of waiting for exams and evaluation.

Technology driven Teaching

We live in a technology driven world. Technology plays a role in your life whether you are a postman or medical practitioner. Today, we have access to information at our fingertips and I am a strong believer that this should be exploited. So instead of pouring out to them the chapter on photosynthesis from their science textbook, I would ask them to look it up and bring out their own essays or multimedia presentations. These findings can then be compared with the classroom lesson, thus making it more interactive and interesting. Students feel that they are contributing more towards the classroom. They will be responsible to provide sound references which can be either leading newspapers and journals or well known historians and scientists.

Activity based learning

Contemporary teaching techniques focus on educational activities that make the students learn without even realizing that they are indeed learning. Children learn by doing. Team work that involves role playing, debates and games not only give a sense of thrill and competition but lasts longer in their memory than traditional bookworm methods. These challenges brings out important leadership qualities which are a vital part of life. Using creative ways to find out new methods to convert the lessons into enjoyable team-building exercises, is a part of my regular lesson planning and preparation.

Example Activities:

• English Grammar: Team A will write 10 sentences with mistakes in them and Team B will do the same. Then they will be given a limited amount of time to correct the mistakes of their opposing team.

• The importance of light to plants: The students will be asked to cover a part of the leaf of an outdoor plant and record their findings after a two days.

Last, but not least, how do I judge the effectiveness of my teaching?A teacher must be approachable and friendly. A student should be able to trust and seek guidance from a teacher at any given time. I believe in creating an atmosphere in which students feel comfortable to directly give you their feedback. I am open to suggestions and constructive criticism from my students and colleagues at all times. Grades are not the only thing that matter. After all education is a wider process of building character.  

Finally my goal is to set the path to self learning and to encourage it, as the old saying goes “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime"