From Teaching Learners to Teacher Learning

Teacher Training - From Teaching Learners to Teacher Learning

• Teaching is a constantly evolving process requiring adaptability and a dynamic approach.
• Unlike a pre-planned event, teaching requires real-time adjustments to changing circumstances, including student mood, classroom environment, available resources, and unforeseen constraints.
• Teaching contexts are inherently unique, unlike two identical classrooms which might have different moods or student reactions.
• External constraints, such as limited resources, large class sizes, or school policies, can significantly impact teaching effectiveness, highlighting the need for teachers to be pragmatic and responsive to such factors.
• Teaching is a multifaceted activity demanding real-time problem-solving, similar to improv comedy, with no pre-determined conclusion or plan in the classroom environment.
• Effective teaching involves meticulous lesson planning, yet adaptability to unexpected situations is crucial.
• Teachers must react promptly, adjust their plans, and reflect on their action to continually improve and refine their approach.
• A teacher's role involves being the instructor (delivering planned lessons), the director (handling students), and the stage manager (managing the classroom) at the same time.

Applicability Gap in Teacher Training

• Training does not always translate perfectly to the real-world classroom.
• New teachers often face a significant disconnect between theoretical knowledge and practical application, known as the 'applicability gap.'
• Teacher training programs should address this disconnect by:
  • Providing opportunities for guided reflection on teaching challenges and their solutions.
  • Emphasizing contextual adaptation by tailoring teaching methods to specific students and classrooms.
  • Connecting training to realistic classroom scenarios and practical applications.

Teacher Training and Diverse Contexts

• Teacher training programs face a challenge in addressing the vast differences in teaching contexts, including well-resourced private schools and under-resourced state schools.
• The training environment may differ from the real classroom, but the core principles of teaching and learning remain the same, regardless of the context.
• Trainer training should be modeled after principles for adapting teaching strategies to various settings, whether in-person, online, or hybrid.
• Teacher training should prepare teachers for various classroom challenges and resource limitations.

Continuous Learning and Reflection

• Teaching requires ongoing learning and adaptation.
• Teachers must constantly strive to refine their approaches, acknowledging that "mastery" is a continuous, evolving journey.
• Effective teaching involves a blend of expertise, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt based on what is needed for each student and the particular context of the classroom.
• Reflection and self-assessment are crucial to improving teaching practice, allowing teachers to learn from their experiences, acknowledge errors, and adapt accordingly.