As the new academic year begins in Oman today for teachers and administrators, it is a good opportunity to look at the challenges which face teachers and the ways in which they could be addressed.
Teaching has seen a massive change in the last decade. No longer is the emphasis on teaching, but on learning, thus shifting the focus to the learners and the classroom. This has major implications for teachers, many of whom may still have been trained using traditional methods and strategies like lecturing and, at best, showing PowerPoint slides, if such technology is available in class.
Surely, we have moved far beyond this teaching format. Students, right from grade 1 to 12, are no longer willing, or even capable, of learning by passively listening to teachers. Continuous research has shown that students learn far better by actively doing tasks, discussing in class, and even teaching content to others in the class. Interactive learning is key to effective teaching.
This means that teachers need to be quick to introduce effective strategies to capture the attention of a generation known for its very short attention span. This includes coming up with engaging activities, using whatever technology is available, and creating spaces for reflection and analysis in class time.
The major obstacle to such innovative practices worldwide is twofold: there is always the pressure of time, as all classes are about 40 minutes, and there is not enough time to finish the syllabus. Nor is there any incentive to do experimental teaching which may require training and even infrastructure.
This is where innovation becomes important. Given the constraints of time and resources, teachers can look for ways to add value to their classes in their own way. This could be in the form of using short-term strategies to make a specific chapter interesting, or working with easily available material to do short projects in class.
There are endless ideas and tips available online, and teachers don’t even have to fall back on professional development programmes for training. In fact, there are free online courses to enhance teaching strategies.
It is commonplace, and often rightly, to blame forces outside us for the problems that plague education today. But that does not actually solve the problem. At an individual level, teachers can implement smart strategies which address specific issues and concerns.
This has the added advantage of being sensitive to specific learning contexts where teachers can implement unique strategies which may be more effective than mass-produced suggestions.
Early career teachers demonstrate this through the fresh enthusiasm, energy and ideas they bring. Keeping that motivation alive is important and can be easily done by networking online and staying committed to students whose future is at stake.
The new academic year is always full of promise and possibility. Turning that possibility into reality through in-class innovations will remain an exciting challenge.
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