Teachers: 10 Things Jen Don't Want From You !

Hi there! I’m back again with my 2nd reflection of my pedagogy class. 

Well, how should I start? In this class, we’ve looked into 10 Things students want their teachers to do. It's just a simple image with deep and meanigful knowledge in it. All thanks to our lecturer, I am able to understand fully what is it about as she discuss all points one by one, givin relevant examples and situations for us to access.

As we go through each and every point , the SCARY Q&A sessions starts. I was caught off guard during that session, and was unable to answer because I was not paying attention. I’m sorry but things happens right? The question asked was, “In your opinion, do you think teachers should let their students to decide on what to be accessed in assignments?” I disagree to the questions as students nowadays wants an easy way, and if they were given choice to be accessed based on what they want, a proper assessment will not take place. Thus, teacher should be the one in charge of the assessment criteria but also have to prepare a rubric for the students to focus on the are assessed. But at the same time, I agree to the extend that if students were given choice, at least they will be motivate to do the assessment and will be interested in doing so.

Before we end the class, we were asked to read the a book, entitled  "Totto-chan, the Little Girl at the Window " for extra knowledge whenever we are free. The e-book has a total of 72 pages and I doubt I can finish reading it because I always get sleepy when I start to read books with only words ! *cross fingers. I'm just half way through but I find it interesting already.  Maybe I shall share them with you in the next post? :)

Here are 10 Things Students Doesn’t Want from Educators. (From my point of view as a student)

Teachers: 10 Things I Don't Want From You

1.   No Favouritism

I will notice if you always call on someone else more, praise them more, smile at them more or talk to them more. I might not say anything about it, but I will always think about it and feel less valued and cared for in class. I will know that I am not your favourite and this will shape how I act in your class.

2. Not having patience with questions

I might ask you the same question over and over again. It might be a repetition for you, but it’s a new thing for me who is still learning. Maybe the you have just answered it 5 mins ago, but I ask again because I really do not understand. Do not embarrassed me by rolling the eyes or sighing with impatience, irritated. Helping me to understand why help me to learn more and have better understanding

3. DO not give up on me

Sometimes, I’ll fail. When I do, please don’t push me away. This makes me feel like you hate me and do not care for me. Instead, stay with me, be by my side and please help me to understand why I fail. I promise to try my best but just DO NOT Give Up on Me.

4. DO not assign to many homework or assignments

Too many homework and assignments might be a burden to me. Living life a student is not as easy as it seems to be. There are many more things to be done not to mention tuition, extra curricular activities, and many more. Giving homework is fine, but when it becomes too many for a subject, I will dislike the both the subject and the teacher also.

5. DO not expect me to Be someone I’m not

Never ever compare me with their anyone be it my siblings, friends or whoever you had thought before. I will feel sad when I’m being compared with. Am  I not good enough? I would love to know that I can be who I am and that you accepts me for who and what I am. Do encourage me to the best I can be without having to completely change who I am.

6. DO not make me feel left out

In class, when I’m passive or not participating actively, do reach out to me. Do not ignore me. I need to feel like I’m still care for and that you will be always there for me. With that, I am will know that you care for me and that you notice me in class. I will then feel like I belong to the class and feel self-belonging towards the lesson.

7. DO not threatened me

Threats like  “I will deduct your marks if....” or “I will call your parents if...” makes me feel like you are threating me and I will feel like you are forcing me to do something I don’t want. Do not use grade as weapons. Grades are to be given according and not to be used as threat to control students.

8. DO not include topic that are not taught in class to examinations

Do not incorporate questions on topics that are taught in class into the examinations. How am I  going to answer it if it is not taught in class? I might not have basic knowledge of the topic and that will make me feel like  I am stupid for not knowing it and will demotivate me.

9. Taking forever to grade and return assignment

Us, students works hard to complete our assignment. I need to know your feedback in order for me to know where my mistakes are and to make necessary corrections. Taking months to check and grade the homework or assignment will prevent all that. And by the time the homework or assignments are given back, I might already forgot what it is about and it no longer meant anything to me.

10. No autonomy in choices

Why I pick who I want to sit with? Why can’t I choose my group mates for assignments? Why am I not given freedom to make decisions? Students like options. Allowing me to exercise some control over my own learning will empower me, and that can be extremely motivating, appealing and inspiring for me. As long as assignment or assessment aligns with the lesson objectives and lesson outcome, giving students autonomy to choose can be a win-win for both teacher and student.

"Learn to listen, listen to learn."
Sometimes, all teachers need to do is to step out of their ‘teacher shoes’ and step into the shoes of students.

Signing off,

*All pictures are for ilustration purpose and are obtained from goggle images.