The video refers to the SSDD we learn in all the PGCE classes, which is represented by the didactic triangle and are the components that deals with how to become a good teacher. It therefore only lists the factors to keep in mind for a classroom environment when we teach. However, I found the reading extremely insightful. What I specifically enjoyed about it is that although we have been taught the principle by means of inference, it highlighted the real world experience where thinking outside the box was required to be able to do the mundane.
In my opinion it says a lot about human nature in that the only thing the teacher had to do differently was to get the learners attention and then wean them from the necessity to continue with the innovative means of starting a class, yet to keep capturing their attention without the physical props. This is a typical example of what we have learned about with regards to looking at yourself as the teacher being the problem when you are not making inroads with the learners. What she had done was to rethink her method and give up total control of her class in order to obtain the participation she required of her classroom. She did not however let go of her authority within the classroom, which I think is critical to remain the teacher in the eyes of the learners.
This example therefore highlights very distinct requirements that I believe all people who wish to impart knowledge need to get under the belt if they want to be successful in their endeavors of teaching others. Firstly, the requirement of getting the initial attention of the potential learners. Secondly to keep it interesting once you have their attention. Thirdly, lose control. This does not mean that you need to go nuclear but rather that you should refrain from attempting to remain in total control yet retaining authority. One of the most important requirements in my opinion is to be able to think outside of the box in order to achieve these objectives. The reason I believe these abilities to be critical is simply because they will ensure that you capture the attention of your audience. Without someones attention, it is impossible to communicate and communication is key to learning.
People differ. Even a single person is influenced by internal and external forces. Within the week, I received terrible news in that a family member has an unknown amount of time left with us. My first thought was why could it not wait till next year. Its not being insensitive, but even though we are not close, the person is a sibling of someone whom I are about. It impacts on them and therefore impacts on me. When comparing my feelings, attitude and general well-being before and after I had received the news, it is evident that the news had had a significant impact on me as a person as well. I only mention this because it is an exaggerated example of how humans change due to influences. The point is that the same thing does not always work for different people, even the same person, since our circumstances change over time. This in my opinion is the main reason why we need to think outside of the box. That being said, it is thus just as important to never give up. It is not always possible that your brilliant idea will work as intended the first time. It may need to be tweaked and adjusted in order to fit/work. It reminds me of Thomas Edison who said two things that is of particular importance in life : "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" and then to enforce this idea "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up".
The last thing that stood out in my mind that is also one of life's lessons that people sometimes never learn is that the best ideas normally only happen when you are doing something else. Think of Archimedes who observed the water rising when he got into his tub (bath). I am certain he did not set out to solve a significant problem from his era, but his brain made the observation and connected the dots. It can probably be argued that he then took it too far by then running out of the house naked in the excitement of sharing his discovery, yet at the time it can be compared to someone now discovering other intelligent life in our solar system. But the article clearly states that the writer made a conscious effort to not work on the problem at hand as all her previous attempts at finding a solution failed. Instead she applied her mind on something else and then had that Eureka moment, which brings me to the solution itself.
In sociology it is said that if your work is not complicated, then it is not deemed to be of importance. However, in most cases, we Humans tend to over-complicate matters in order to find a solution. We want to appear sophisticated and intelligent, but more often than not we need exactly the opposite. Think of the 3 laws of Newton and the 4 laws of electro-magnetism. They are extremely simple in their explanation and have been commended for being thus. It does not mean that the impact, proof or theory behind it is uncomplicated, but rather that the elegance of its simplicity needs to be admired. Not to get into Einstein and General Relativity, consider that we can explain all movement of objects in space based on the 3 laws of Newton. As stated, it is truly elegant in its simplicity and is probably the reason we cannot think of them. Why does it take a genius to show us the simplistic? In relation to the article, the writer tried everything she had learned on how to cope with unruly learners and in the end it took a coloured bowl and some water to resolve her issue.
The qualities we as future purveyors of knowledge therefore require to practice the art is to be determined, creative and to not overthink solutions as it will present itself, but the most important quality to keep in mind is KISS.
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