Hills Like White Elephants

 

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THE ROLES OF A TEACHER 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫

 

Hi everyone💞,

Today I will write about teacher roles. We, teachers, have lots of duties not only just teaching to our students but also taking care of them, understand them, and helping them. Teachers are facilitators to students’ life and progress.

We can categorize the roles of a teacher:

1.       CONTROLLER:

         When students think of teachers as a controller, they feel comfortable. As a controller, we should
take the roll and tell students things, organize drills, read aloud, and in various other ways exemplify the qualities of a teacher-fronted classroom.

         Being a controller in the classroom is an efficient way but sometimes it may not work because students can wait everything from their teachers also, they can cut down on speaking talents. That is mean, over-reliance on students can affect their learning ability badly.

2.       ORGANIZER:

         Organizer means that; teachers help students what to do when they are not sure about the activity. Teachers should explain clearly to avoid chaos such as now we are going to do this because...etc. Observing students is especially important. Teachers should spend time engaging the students’ interests because activities may not be successful, or group works may not be suitable for them. During activities teachers should explain how they are going to do activities and telling the time is important. According to activities, some of them can be pair work or group work. In activities, maybe just giving instructions may not be enough for students, demonstration is better than instructions.

         When teachers organize something, new things can be good or interesting for students. Also, activities should be appropriate for their levels and talents. At the end of the class, summarizing is particularly important, teachers should repeat what did they today. Using some forms and feedback are necessary you can ask your students; did you like this activity, did you enjoy it… etc. To sum up; organizer means: engage

         👉         instruct           👉             initiate         👉       organize feedback

3.       ASSESSOR:

 
        Students often want to feedback from their teachers to be sure or to see if they understand the subject. Also, feedback is important for both teachers and students. Teachers should show what is the right answers or their mistakes. So, they can understand or measure themselves.

         Fairness is important. We should not separate good grades and bad grades. Students can be mistakes or they can take bad grades, but we should balance with sensitivity and support. Students do not want to be unfairly judged.

4.       PROMPTER:

         
Teachers should give permission to students’ doing something. Teachers should not give all directions. It can cause less motivation and lack of encouragement. Also, their creativity can be decreased we can offer which words or phrases they can use, and prompting is a kind of sensitively and encouraging thing.

 

5.       PARTICIPANT:

         Doing some activities with students can be different and efficient for students. Being a participant has two effects. The first one is the good side of being a participant. Students can enjoy having the teacher with them and teachers can enjoy it, too. The second one is the bad side of being a participant. Teachers can easily dominate one proceeding, also teachers usually have more English at our disposal than our students do.

6.       RESOURCE:

          Sometimes, students need their teacher as a resource. For example, they want to learn what should they do in the activities or they can want more information about activities. Actually, teachers are one of the most important sources for pupils but sometimes we allow them to be their resources. It is important to their creativity and they can be more independent. And they can trust themselves. For example, we should not answer every question or mean of words, we can direct to a good dictionary to their learning abilities. But it is not mean we should not answer every question, at the same time we must resist the urge to spoon-feed our students in that way they can trust us.

7.       TUTOR:

         
When students do not understand something with prompter and resource, we can act as a tutor working with a small group or individual. Working in a large group can be difficult in that situation because caring to everybody may not be enough for students who have problems with understanding. Some students can feel disappointed. When we are a tutor, we must make sure that we do not disturb either too much or too little.

8.   OBSERVER:

         Being an observer is important to giving feedback or organizing students but when we observe students, we should not interrupt every word or writing things all the time. Also, when er take some notes about our students, we should not write all the time their bad sides, we should write students’ good sides, too. Being an observer provides us with how students are doing something. We should observe simultaneously when they are listening, watching, etc. Please do not observe your students just for feedback.

 

       As a teacher, as you can see, we have lots of roles but how can we understand which one is suitable for both our students and us? We need to be able to switch between the variable roles. Sometimes we use just one but sometimes we need to combine them according to our students’ needs. We should know the requirements of every role and we should understand that which one is suitable.

Have a nice weekend teachers🌼

source:

Harmer, J. (2001). The practice of English language teaching. London/New York

Chapter 4: Describing teachers, p.56-67

Learners' Age Groups ( Describing learners )

 

Hello everyone🙌

Most of us started their schools maybe some of us continue with online education or face to face education. After all, the new education term has started.

In this term, teachers should be careful about their students' ages because people of different ages have different needs, skills, competences, etc. Especially in this term, it is very important for us to understand them. We will look at the characteristics of these ages in terms of language learning.

There are three fundamental ages: young children, adolescents, and adults.

1.           
  1. Young children

* This group is especially for up to the ages of nine or ten.  For them, a good teacher affects their language learning. Teachers of these groups should be encouraging, understanding, and empathetic. Students need individual attention and they need approval.

* Their understanding is not only exemplifying or explanation but also with their senses such as see, hear, touch, taste, etc. For instance, when they learn the shapes, looking at them, or touching them will become more permanent for them. They must have a chance to interact with them 

* They are very curious about the world or everything around them so, they are so enthusiasm for learning.

* They have limited attention, they can easily get bored or losing their interests. It takes generally 10 minutes. So, when teachers choose their activities, they should be careful and, they should be cautious about extra activity. Additionally, classroom environment should be bright and interesting such as colorful posters, walls, pictures, etc.

* Group works are especially useful and effective for them to a good relationship with their classmates.

* They use their imagination skills which are very important at that age and we should allow them to use their imagination when they are learning something such as puzzle or draw activities, etc.

* In young learners, they are willing to talk about themselves and their own lives so, it can be a good response for them choosing topics about their lives.

 

2.      2.  Adolescents

* For many teachers, these ages can be a little more complicated. this group includes students between the ages of 12 and 18. 

* They have great capacity to learn and potential for creativity and passion, they are good learners but also, they have less motivation because of searching for their identities. It affects their learning skill very bad.

* Adolescents can be crucial, and they may have some discipline problems. Because of that, teachers should control them but at the same time they should be supportive and helpful, teachers should engage them in lessons. They may push their teachers' limit, in that case, contrary to shouts or bad attitude, teachers should find constructive ways.

* As I mentioned before they have some problems with their individual identities. In that term, schools or teachers can help them with conferences because dealing with problems without any information can be challenging for them. If they feel more confident, they can be more concentrate on their lessons. It affects good ways.

* Teachers must give them tasks or homework that they are able to do rather than risk humiliating them. Teachers should be aware of their students’ interests.

 

3.      3. Adults

* Adults are different from other age groups because they have experiences about learning. They have their own learning ways. They can engage with abstract thoughts.

* They are more motivated and disciplined than adolescents. They have a clear understanding of what they need or do not need.

* Their activities are longer and more complicated than other learners. As in other age groups, visual and auditory learning is important and more permanent for them. They learn something with indirect learning such as writing, listening, etc.

* On the other hand, adults are never entirely problem-free learners. For example, their previous learning experience may have affected them in a good or bad way.

*Also, many adults do not trust their intellectual powers this can reduce their motivation.

 

In a nutshell, we should know that every age is different, and they need different strategies to learn something. We cannot use strategies that are suitable for young learners to adults.

Have a nice day and have a nice education term.

See you next post👋💛

 

Source:

Harmer, J. (2001). The practice of English language teaching. London / New York                                                             Chapter 3: Describing learners, p. 37-41.

OKULLARIMIZA DÖNEBİLECEK MİYİZ? (ONLINE EĞİTİM)

Herkese Merhaba,

Evet farkındayım, her zamankinden daha farklı bir giriş, gelişme ve sonuç olacak. Bu dönemde Türkçe bir yazı yazmak istiyordum ve belki de başka kişilere de ulaşabilirim bu sayede. 

     Kafamızda bu dönemde birçok soru vardır, en azından benim bazı sorularım ve endişelerim var. Okula gidebilecek miyiz? Bu hastalık ne kadar devam edecek? Sevdiklerimizi, kendimizi nasıl koruyacağız? Yeni kuşak olarak böyle bir hastalığın dünyayı yerle bir edeceğini aklımızın ucundan geçirmezdik sanırım. Eğitimin, ekonominin, turizmin hatta hayatın ani durması, tüm dünyada azalmayan ölümler ve vaka sayıları, insanların birbirinden tedirgin olması ve daha nicesi… Bu yeni hayata alışmak hiç kolay değildi ki bence hala değil. En zorlarından birisi de sevdiklerimizi görememek ya da onlara sarılamamak olmalı bu dönemde, hele ki Türk insanı için alışılmadık bir durum. Maalesef önümüzü göremiyoruz okullar açılacak mı, yasaklar kalkacak mı, maskesiz gezebilecek miyiz? Hiçbirine kesin cevap veremiyoruz.

     Peki genç nüfusu Avrupa’nın aksine çok daha fazla olan Türkiye, birçok genç ve çocuk için eğitim alanında nasıl çalışmalar yapacak? Bunca aydır evde kalan çocuklar sınıflarına, öğretmenlerine, arkadaşlarına kavuşabilecek mi? Örgün sisteme geçmek, sabah yataklarından zorla kalkan ya da okuldan nefret eden öğrencilerin bile dört gözle beklediği bir olay. Ya örgün sisteme geçemez ve online olarak devam edersek ne gibi sorunlarla karşılaşacağız? Elbette sağlığın önüne hiçbir şey geçemez ama sağlığımızın yanında maalesef hayatlarımızı sürdürmek zorundayız. Online sistemde herkesin eğitim alabilme hakkı olacak mı? Doğudaki çocuklar, öğretmenler internete erişebilecek mi, gerekli ekipmanları olacak mı? Eğitimde herkes eşit olacak mı? Bu soruların cevapları var mı? Bence yok. Hiçbirimiz maalesef bu hayatta eşit imkanlara sahip olamıyoruz ya da imkanlar sunulsa bile mesleğine canla başla sarılmayacak ya da online eğitim hakkında gerekli bilgiye sahip olmayan birçok öğretmen olduğunu biliyoruz bunun sağlam bir denetlemesi olmayacağını da biliyoruz. Maaşımı alırım biter mantığı bu ülkede biraz daha sürecek gibi duruyor. Üniversitede öğretmenlerimin hep hatırlattığı bir şey vardı; Yenilikçi, mesleğine sadık, en önemlisi de fark yaratan bir öğretmen olmak. Bu meslekte olduğum sürece bu sözler aklımdan çıkmayacak ama ya benim emeklerim elimde olmayan sebeplerle öğrencilerime ulaşamazsa?

      Çok bir zor dönemdeyiz. Olasılıklarla ilerliyoruz ama bunun düzelmesi için elimizden geleni yaptığımızı söyleyemeyeceğim. Eğer uzun bir süre maskelerimizi takmayıp Ege, Akdeniz sahillerini doldurmaya ya da asla eğlencemizden ödün vermeyip kalabalık mekanlardan kaçınmazsak, erteleyebileceğimiz kutlamaları "Aman ne olacak canım bize bir şey olmaz." mantığıyla sürdürmeye devam edersek maalesef bu hastalıktan yakın zamanda kurtulamayacağız ve her şeyimizi dijitale bağlayacağız. Elbette 21. Yüzyıl teknoloji çağı vs. Fakat bazen bazılarımızın elinde olan tek eğitim yöntemini, onların eğitim haklarını da ellerinden almış oluyoruz. Biraz daha sağduyu ve tedbirlerle bu süreci kısaltmak bizim elimizde. Lütfen biraz daha evde kalalım. Elimizde olmayan sebepler yüzünden dışarı çıkıyorsak da mutlaka maske takmak, dezenfektan taşımak gibi önlemlerimizi mutlaka alalım. 

Bol sorulu bir yazı oldu. Fikirlerinizi benimle paylaşırsanız çok mutlu olurum.

Daha keyifli yazılarda buluşmak üzere.👋📚

#evdekal   #onlineeducatıon    #onlineeğitim    #covid19   #pandemi    #staysafe

 

END OF THE ONLINE EDUCATION TERM

Hello Everyone,

          I know, I took a long break but, I was in online education, and this process is still going on both as a student and as a teacher. As a student, I can say that; it was necessary for this term, but I cannot say, it was as effective as face to face education. It was distracting, or we were not ready for online education. In the beginning, almost every student encountered some problems such as connection, their accounts, microphone, camera, etc. Also, for many students, it was difficult to do this disciplined way, especially for adolescents. 

         As a student, I did not encounter any problem, but I cannot say the same thing as a teacher. I did my classes with young learners, adolescents, and adults. I observed them well in that term, but this online education is not as easy as we think. I felt I had to connect the students to the lesson, especially for young learners because in this period, this situation was most difficult for them. They could not go to their school, they could not take their school report, even they could not go out. They are a very important period because they can learn very fast also, they are very hyperactive and curious. Trying to learn something in one room and front of a screen was not effective for them. So, you should use lots of sources. These sources should be colorful and audial. They can affect everything in their houses such as their siblings’ sound or parents etc. In this situation, parents have some duties like providing a silent and inconspicuous room. They should not bother their kids. This term was not easy for them, too. Also, we are in summer, every kid wants to play a game or travel somewhere. Both teachers and parents should not force them but at the same time, we should help them about their responsibilities. 

     Adolescents who are in the period of discovering themselves were not participants because they were not aware of these situations. Even if, this situation affected their university entrance exam results in Turkey. This Covid19 was already difficult for them because some students were ill, or some students lost their relatives because of illness. Their education was incomplete, they tried to complete by themselves or with their online learning, besides, every student did not chance to take online education. They were worried about exam conditions. In this period when they are experiencing their feelings intensely, they encountered these problems. I hope that all of them passed the exam and they reach their dreams. 

     On the other hand, for adults, this term was easier than young learners and adolescents. Adults are more interested and enthusiastic about attending class because they know their responsibilities. they are more willing to learn. So, we did not have any problems with them. At the end of the term, I asked to my every student. Which would you prefer? Online education of face to face education? Undoubtedly, most of them said face to face education. Both as a student and a teacher, I do not have any idea about what we will do about the next education term. Are we going to continue with online or face to face education? I can not say anything about this topic, but I am sure that teachers should improve themselves about online education. I think we understood the importance of using technology in our classes. We used lots of education sites, especially I used Quizlet so much in my classes. Which type of educational sites did you use this online education term?

You can check my previous posts about that also, you can write your comments and suggestions to me.

I wish everyone a nice and healthy summer.

ONLINE (DISTANCE) EDUCATION

Hello everyone after a long break.

I hope everyone is fine, safe and at home.

              I think 2020 started the year a little bit different, didn’t it? At least for my country, 2020 is different year. One of the big situations is Corona which also called Covid-19. I think, we can’t say why did Corona appear. Many reasons may happen, but this illness cause to stop almost every institution such as factories, shopping malls, universities, schools etc. Doctors have the most important task here. I hope nothing happens to any healthcare professional. 

             Besides all of things, education was stopped in this term. We don’t know how long it will take but universities ended their spring terms. Primary schools were announced to be closed for at least one more month. This mean is no more face to face education from now on. This is new thing for world, I guess. Of course, online education exists for years but taking courses online for so long is new thing, at least for my country. As a student, I started to take online education too. My first opinion was not bad because it was new thing for me too. It was exciting for me and my classmate. Online education has so many advantages on the other hand it has disadvantages too.

 

ADVANTAGES:

• The learner and teacher may geographically be located at different places. The learner is vitally in touch with the teacher.

• It has flexible environment and schedule. The learners are in their comfort zone.

• Online education requires more self-motivation and time-management skills. Online classes not only include math, English etc. but also requires self-motivation

• Online education’s costs are lower than face to face education. Most of education in online are free.

• There are many various online classes you can join whichever you want etc...

DISADVANTAGES:

• Not all students have their own discipline. They can open their account they may not join their classes efficiently.

• Building relationship with students will require more effort than face to face education. Some students feel more comfortable with their teachers. Because interaction between students and learners in face to face education is more realistic.

• Having too many distracting items is another problem. They have other devices phone, music players etc. They may go kitchen, bathroom wherever they want. Eating something, listening to music, chatting with friends are distracting things. Multitasking reduces the impact of the focused job.

• It can also cause some health problems such as poor vision, back pain, strain injures etc.

If we want to summarize the disadvantages and advantages of online education, we can say these.

Right now, our question may be; what teachers should do for effective online education? This week I am going to start giving online education too. What will I do or do you have a any suggestions for me?

You can check my previous posts about technological education programs. Next post, we may talk about that.

Thank you for your reading.

Until we meet, 

PLEASE STAY AT HOME FOR YOURSELF, YOUR LOVED AND OTHER PEOPLE.  #STAYHOME  #EVDEKAL 🏠🏡

See you in next post 😊💛👋