Brenda

Moments of Pride

I wouldn’t normally want to share what happens in class, but one of my classes made me so proud last week and I want to acknowledge how great they are.

We were studying some of the theories behind how teams work in organisations. To engage the students more in their learning, and to avoid death by PowerPoint I had them carry out some research to answer questions. They came back to work in groups/teams and decide how they would feedback to the class.

At one point one of the students realised that while they were studying about teams, by putting them into groups, they were also getting to experience teamworking first-hand.

At the end of their groupwork we debriefed how they got on as a team? What worked/didn’t work etc. It was interesting to see how they analysed their efforts – very honestly, which led to some conflict. What did impress me, and what I’m proud of them for, is that they addressed the causes of conflict within their team and agreed a way forward to resolve the conflict so that they will work together better at our next class. All without any support or intervention by myself.

Sometimes as the lecturer, you need to take a step back and let the kids step up (on average they’re about 18 years old).

I am proud of my class and this makes me proud to be a lecturer, to be their lecturer.

What makes you proud? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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17 comments

  2. Great result. Teacher training teaches us that all subject knowledge doesn’t come from the actual teacher. With decent teaching methods, as you performed here, resulted in the class contributing with new found insights. Insights that the teacher can indeed learn from too. Then adopt and use them as examples for the future. Learning never stops does it? Sounds like a good day for you. Brilliant. All the best.

    Reply

      • I used to teach adults and they brought their life experiences to lessons. I suppose a good teacher keeps the ensuing enthusiasm they bring to subject learning focused. Sounded like you achieved that perfectly. All the best.

      • I teach in a college, so very mixed classes. Also teaching HR, it really helps to bring the experience of mature students into the classroom. Sometimes with the school leavers, it’s trying to put things into contexts they can understand and relate to. However, you’re right, engaging with the students and having them engage with their learning is so rewarding. I also love the way they get caught up in things … giving them some flipchart paper and coloured pens and see their imagination soar – and produce the work shared as the image for this post.

      • As much as teaching was a very positive part from the past. I wouldn’t go back to it. The preparation needed in lesson planning is very intensive. Retirement is a blessed reality now. Oh! I used to also support Deaf students and hard of hearing students (Signing, lip speaking and note taking) in further and higher education. Chatting with the lecturers back then gave insights into my adopting future techniques. Watching the nurse tutors and specialist lectures too when I was training. You are spot on. The most successful classes I learned from were the ones where my cohorts and I felt freedom to express. And, as said, engage in the practicalities of what we were learning. Thank you for your insights.

  3. What a wonderful way of teaching the lesson. Thanks for giving us a seat on how it turned out. Really fun and worthy of pride!!

    Reply

  4. These are the exact moments that I enjoy in education. I hope to one day return to the craft, because I feel that we learn as much as they do, and it’s a lovely symbiotic relationship. Thanks for sharing this moment!

    Reply

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