Involving students in a meaningful way in classrooms

Getting learners involved and active in a classroom is one of the things teachers struggle with. Learners follow the crowd and I have seen it in my own school and I still see it today. Learners try so hard to fit in and being involved in school of classroom activities are not cool. But what if teachers can change that by simply changing the way we teach. Instead of trying to control a class let leaners be responsible and let them hold each other accountable, have them set the rules.

Learners want to be heard and that is why open communication in a classroom environment will change so much. I will create an environment in my classroom where every learner opinions, thoughts and worries are heard but there still has to be control, we can’t just allow learners to say what they please if it will offend someone. A classroom is a place of learning not just from the teachers but from other learners as well. So how do you create meaningful involvement of students in classroom?

Simply do not try and control them instead create an environment where they don’t feel the need to be loud and uncontrollable, now you are wondering ok then explain how? Wills (2015) wrote about how her learner never listened and walked in moving tables and was loud. She went home and thought about pedagogy. She placed bowls with water on the tables and wrote on the white broad, “Please keep the floor dry” and the learners tried their best. Now I am not suggesting that every teacher has to try this activity, but this activity was effective and learners were calmer when moving tables. She asked them what was different about today and learners mentioned that they were quiet and worked together.

You don’t have to be an out there teacher trying so hard to get learners involved, you just have to listen and think about new ways of creating a new space and get learners involved. Learners can change a classroom and make it meaningful. I would divide my class into groups and once a month a group will teach the class because it will show learners that I want them involved and I do believe that they are capable of teaching and mostly that I trust them. Get learners to bring photo’s or articles that they think are interesting and put them up in your classroom, show the learners how important their involvement in a classroom could be.  

We all have something to teach and we are never too old to learn...

When we think about teaching and schools, we automatically think about a teacher presenting a class and students listening. The next generation is seeking more than just copying down slides and listening to a teacher reading out of a textbook or giving them knowledge that they don’t want to learn about. They want to be independent and learn from each other and have the responsibility to learn by themselves. I know this means we have to put a lot of trust in students but aren’t they already considered adults. I mean we want them to be responsible and take responsibility but we aren’t even giving them a chance to be responsible.

Take for instance the Independent Project, it was started by 8 students in school and how it works is that they would do research on a specific topic that they had questions about and teach each other the work, there are no test, no quiz’s because they believe that knowledge is not something you memorise instead it is something you are taught and understand.

The problem some would say is that are the students doing the right research and are they teaching each other the right information and that is where teachers play such a significant role. Teachers can be there to insure that research is properly done and that the students are teaching each other the right information. When schools start to create a space where students can self- direct what they wish to learn, I feel that students will be more interested in learning and understanding.

We can teach learners how to do proper research and where to find the correct information, the new generation of students want to feel in charge of what they are learning because not everyone fits into the same box, not everyone has the same passion for mathematics as others.

We are continuously teaching and learning throughout our lives so why not find connection between technology, teaching and learning. We have the opportunity to share personal experiences and thoughts about certain topics and students can get connected with other students around the world and learn from each other and ask each other questions about their country, their history, their economy or anything. The Hybrid Pedagogy Journal is a great example of independent teaching and learning, where people share personal experiences and have in depth conversations about certain topics. We all have something that we can teach each other and we are never too old to learn, so let the next generation teach each other with the help of teachers.  

Check your social media tonight students, I will keep you updated

Davis (2014) and Provenzano (2015) wrote about how important the use of social media can be within classrooms and that everyday social media tools like Facebook can be used to keep students informed and interacting.

I do agree with them, Davis (2014) and Provenzano (2015) made valid arguments and even provided enough example of teacher who have made you of social media and have found it to be very effective. When I think about teaching next year, I stress because I want to create an environment where students feel that they are being heard and not just taught and that students would leave my classroom and would miss it. Social media is constantly being used and the faster we accept it and embrace it the better.

I am going to teaching Geography and Life Orientation at schools next year and after I read these articles I had a few ideas about how I could use social media in my classrooms. I had a Life Science Teacher, who created a Facebook page where she would upload the slides she used in class, videos, share links and she even had a photo competition. The Facebook page is a success and I still follow it.

I would use group email where all the parents will be add to and they would receive the year planner which will include dates of test, exams, projects and teacher parent meetings. The group email will make parents feel included and parents would be encouraged to email me with any concerns. I would start a Facebook page for students to follow for both my subjects, I would upload all class work as well as assignments and dates to ensure students are kept updated. Skype will be used to interact with geologist and Professors and critical discussion will be held, students will be allowed to ask questions and get a different perspective about certain topics.   

Davis (2014) mentioned the remind app that students can join and then reminders are sent via a message to their phones about test dates and assignments that are due. The app would be very effective, even with students who don’t have social media accounts. In our Computer use for our Post Graduate Education Program, I have seen how effective and fun twitter has become. I never had twitter and now I don’t regret getting it. Teachers should try to use a maximum of 3 to 4 social media sites or else it would be hard to manage and I would rather want effective then be everywhere.