What makes teaching effective ?

Teaching is one of the academic or the non-academic act which can not afford to be passive. By passive here I mean that which does not serve any purpose academic or non- academic respectively. Teaching is bound to be ineffective and passive if in the process of teaching, a teacher fails to engage the attention of the learners or lulls them to sleep through his or her monotonous lecture ! Teaching cannot be 100 % effective always but if a teacher takes into consideration the various aspects of teaching ( like the use of humour, gestures, eye contact and voice modulation) teaching can be very effective comparatively. There can be no doubt about the fact that a teacher has to be very good at his subject, he must know his content, but he should not ignore the other aspects which helps to make his content of the lecture interesting.

A teacher is not just a source of information in the class, he is a guide, a role model and some times an example of what the students have never known before. In this case, it becomes really important for the teacher to be conscious of everything that he does or say in the class. As discussed in the class, my teacher singled out a few important aspects of teaching :

• presence 
• voice 
• clothes 
• hands and body ( gestures)
• pauses
• humour
• eye contact

I have made certain comments in relation to these aspects observed in the lecture delivered by Ken Robinson , entitled 'Schools kill Creativity'. I will refer to each one in sequence.

Ken Robinson in this talk discusses the role of schools in silencing the creative side of the children as soon as they are introduced to academic environment. Ken argues that schools regard any kind of art very low on the scale of hierarchy as compared to academic knowledge. It is a standard talk, a speaker under the limelight in front of audience sitting lower than the stage in low light. The speaker tries to make connections with his listeners very frequently. He is completely present with the audience, which is quite evident when he gives time to the audience to laugh at his jokes. And sometimes also try to break the monotonous tone of his lecture.

Voice modulation plays a very important role too, he modulates his voice on certain points, like his tone changes when he makes a strong point, his voice is firm while making arguments. He takes pauses where required, which helps him put emphasis on certain important points. Looking at his attire, it seems to be fitting with the occasion, and the formal stage. He makes a good use of body gestures too.

He indulges with humour in almost every two minutes, he understands the fact that it is not possible to go on speaking without keeping the audience in good humour. Too much serious talk often leads to boredom on the part of listeners. I am reminded of Aristotle's concept of 'comic relief' here, throwing in certain jokes and witty statements can often revive the interest of the listeners.

He is really good with his content and is able bring out the meaning clear to his audience.His talk has a logical succession of facts and interpretation of the facts, which makes his talk interesting and absorbing. He sticks to the time limit which exhibits his pre-lecture practice.

On the whole, I have summed up the characteristics of a teacher and also added a critical evaluation based on my viewing of Ken Robinson's video.

What do we understand by Education?

As we are moving towards future and claiming to be ‘modern’ ‘advanced’ and ‘civilised’, I believe we are very easily forgetting to care about the fundamental issues of life, things which make our lives worth living . Every time we take pride in being human and the most blessed creatures on earth, I believe we become heartless and materialistic at the same time. We have no clue about the fact that we do have a purpose in existence and this life is not meant just to live literally. I think most of us who have been through schools and colleges and universities believe that we are ‘Educated’. It may be true in the sense that they have acquired some knowledge of a particular field but it does not imply that they have achieved the real purpose of education.

If we look at the ‘Etymology of the word ‘education’ itself, it is derived from the Latin word ‘educatio’  which means ‘a breeding , a rearing  or a bringing up'. I think it implies that there has to be someone who is more learned who is the source of breeding , rearing or bringing up, which would literally mean a ‘teacher’ or  a ‘Guru’. And certainly there has to be someone who is the receiver of this bringing up. So in plain words I would like to define education as transmission of knowledge (which has certain effect or the ability to transform and bring a change) from a well-informed person to the less informed one, so as to facilitate a change for better.

Before discussing briefly about what according to me should be the purpose of education, I would like to quote Mr Gandhi on education, he said’ “You must be the change you want to see in the world”. I believe the most important source of change is education. Education spreads itself if taken seriously. Education should not only be able to develop reasoning and intellect in the individuals but it should also be a strong force which brings about a positive change in their lives and society. The aim of education should be progress of mind in terms of ideas that help us to evolve as better people and not just become a professional doctor, engineer or a business entrepreneur. Education should not be limited within the four walls of a ‘reputed’ ‘recognized’ ‘deemed’ or ‘affiliated’ commercial institution (which bases its success on the number of students studying there) but as ubiquitous as possible. ( Available as freely as possible and everywhere). The most important purpose of education should be to develop the ability to wonder, ability to be curious, and finally the ability to learn, and the ability to incorporate the positive change

'The only person who is educated is the one who has learned to learn- and change'.

Carl Roger

Education that is biased in anyway is not education, but ways of propagating certain ideas, which help the propagator to strengthen his/her, hold on the society. Education must be goal oriented but should not force to produce the desired end product. The use of  education should be free to the receivers. If we use education only for the purpose of securing a job and means of livelihood, we definitely defeat the actual purpose of education.