How I became "Good to Great" Teacher?

A good teacher is what I always want to be. I thought I already was one – until a certificate-study on “teaching excellence framework” keyed in my life way back in 2008. Don’t mistake me to be arrogant by the assertion that I thought I knew what a good teacher is, before I did this training. The truth is, the training clearly exposed that my perception of what trait makes a good teacher - was 100% incorrect. For example, if assessment criteria were invalid, how could be my perception about myself as a teacher be correct? If my teaching aids are boring to students, how can I claim to be a good teacher? If half of my students do not turn up for my class, how can I claim to be an engaging teacher? In that one-year-journey, I experienced a paradigm shift on my views of what a good teacher is. (I strongly recommend this self-audit to all teachers, in whatever capacity you serve students’ community.)

 I had got my answer to “what is good teaching” with the first book I had laid my hands on, during my 2008-training. It was “Teaching for Quality Learning at University” by John Biggs (2007), “Good teaching is getting most students to use higher cognitive level processes that the more academic students use spontaneously”.

First thing that hit me was the existence of two approaches to learning: deep vs. surface (Biggs, 2007). It pained me when I realised that as a new teacher (way back in 2002 till 2008), I was doing all things in class to encourage surface approach to learning. My style of teaching and assessing was related to passive student activities (memorising, note taking, describing and explaining). Literature study enlightened me about high level of engagement (relating, applying, synthesising) which could engage HE students and ensure deep learning.

But it was not easy for me to suddenly start high engaging teaching resources. That was because I was still concentrating on ME. As per Ramsden (2003), I was shifting from Theory 1 teacher (teaching as transmission) to Theory 2 teacher (teaching as organising student activity). As I look back, the transformation to Theory 3 ( teaching as making learning happen) could not have otherwise transpired.

During this transformation, I remember reading Phil Race’ book “Making Learning Happen” (2007) and applying his ‘Tips on Lectures’. I started using resources other than MS Powerpoint animated presentations – which was my favourite for so many years! I started reading to create case studies, problem based group activities. I started using flip charts – thanks to senior master lecturers who had shown me how they used them in their classes. Prior to my training, I never bothered about what students did after classes. I realised I am responsible to engage students even during non-contact hours (i.e. after-classroom-hours). I started preparing handouts and workbooks and put up in learning portal. The students did the worksheets on their own at home.

 So how can you be a good teacher? Simple. Just ask for an audit of your class by a peer with whom you have a look at the criteria given in peer observation form. Just be conscious of these four components: planning, teaching strategies, presentation and assessment. That’s what I follow to be a good teacher.

 Another tip to improve your teaching is to take feedback from students. This has given me a lot of insights into how to support learning environment. I used to think taking feedback from students is not valid because of my ‘how do they know?’ attitude. Ironically, feedback helped me to know how students’ learning was impacted from the changes I made in my teaching strategies. Their feedback on what’s working and what’s not, helped me tremendously to be a good support of learning.

To sum up, I have now become conscious of this: Learning takes place through the active behaviour of the student : it is what he does that he learns, not what the teacher does. (Tyler 1949 )

Why is it needed, to train good teachers to be great teachers ? Because every body needs a teacher! And Everyone has been impacted by a teacher – be a King or a Businessman or a Politician!

I will be happy to hear from you some comments on

-      Traits of your best teacher ( or boss)

-      Projects you have done to improve learning at your institute

-      Connecting with me to discuss latest challenges of millennial and centennial learners who are Goliaths in being more tech-savvy when compared to their teachers/mentors

 Looking forward!