A Need for a Professional Teaching Strategy

“I think the teaching profession contributes more to the future of our society than any other single profession.” – John Wooden

This above mentioned statement sums up the importance of teachers in our society. We have heard that teaching is the noblest of all professions. A teacher is the torchbearer for a bright future for all students. In Indian tradition, a teacher, a Guru, has been revered and given the greatest position. But in the modern age the role and functioning of schools in the society is changing and so what is expected from the teachers has also changed. Today teachers are asked to do multiple roles in the classrooms. They have the challenge of teaching with effective use of information and communication technologies; they need to engage more in planning within evaluative and accountability frameworks; they also need to involve parents in schools. Thus it becomes imperative for the teachers to develop professional skills to effectively manage the classrooms and other expectations.

In the modern world, technology has made information available easily. The students don’t really need a teacher to gain knowledge as they themselves can easily access to various sources online. At times it may seem that the students know more than the teacher does. It is in this situation that a teacher needs to act professionally. The teacher needs to understand that some students do have access to information while the others do not. It is important for the teacher to make all students feel belonged in the class. By conducting various activities in the class, the learning can be made interesting. But at times, those who know information already can create a problem. By making such students help the others, the teacher can create a better atmosphere in class. The professional conduct of the teacher in such situations is in including both slow learners and quick learners equally in the activities of class.

The students of contemporary times are equipped with all the modern gadgets. They spend a lot of time daily on the internet and access the information that is available. They prefer this information more than what they gain from the classroom. It is important for a teacher to understand this mindset of the students and adjust accordingly. A professional teacher modifies his/her content and strategies according to the needs and disposition of the students. If a teacher cannot adjust with the changing world, then such a teacher can easily be branded ‘old-fashioned’ by students. To make the classrooms effective, the need of the hour is to use technology in the class. The smart-boards have already made their way into practically every class rooms while only a few teachers are equipped to use them. The lessons can be presented to the teacher through power-point media and relevant videos can be used too. Technology has made virtual laboratories possible and it is time very teacher gets to know how to use them. Usage of chalk and black-board may seem outdated, but a good teacher can still use it effectively.

Technology has brought tremendous transformation in about every aspect of our life. It has changed the way we think, the way we communicate, the way we do everything. There is practically no profession in the world that has not adopted itself to the technological boom. Education needs to adopt itself to this too and the teachers need to lead the way. When the students observe the teacher moving ahead with time professionally, they take their example and learn to adopt themselves to the ever changing world.