Sunday, May 29, 2005

The teachers power to create a learning climate


Creating conditions for growth. Posted by Hello

It is the climate that conditions how organisms develop. In the school situation it is the culture of the school – ‘how things are done around here’ that influences the behaviors of both students and teachers! Some cultures are anti growth while others bring the best out in everyone. In a positive school culture all classrooms are aligned behind shared beliefs and all teachers speak a common language. In a negative culture schools can be compared to a number of sole charges with a shared car park!

One of the great educators of our time Haim Ginott summed up the powerful influence that the individual teachers have on children:

‘It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather…I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humour, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.'

The principal holds similar power in creating the climate of a school. If teachers and principals empower students and teachers then their behaviors flow from this belief. Our actions influence others behaviors. We are influenced by the people around us all the time. We need to be aware of our power and act accordingly.

Good questions to ask students are

1 What do adults do to help you learn at school?
2 What do adults do to put you off learning at your school?
3 What do other students do to help you learn?
4 What do other students do to put you off learning?

The answers to these questions will help teachers and students create positive learning climates – most of all it will make teachers aware of their part in creating the climate in their room.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

A powerful quote. In secondary schools students enjoy subjects because of a postive relationship with a teacher

Anonymous said...

Teachers require certain freedoms to be able to develop good learning environments for their students. Child-centred and holistic approaches to learning require that teachers are able to respond to their students without timetabled interuptions or other imposed barriers. Principals and teachers need to work together to permit a strong focus on the interests and perspectives of their students. Teachers generally don't want to be 'sole charges' within their school environment.

Anonymous said...

The hardest thing in many schools, particularly those whose students are failng, are the 'at risk' teachers who have lost the ability to change their minds and keep on doing things that make things worse for their kids. And they even get paid!

Anonymous said...

In a different sense, we all have a choice. As soon as the university develop personal growth spectre is raised some people seem to get all wobbly, and leave their common sense behind. Think about what Bruce says ... and then make up your own mind!

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Anonymous said...

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