Role  of a teacher

A real teacher is one who can come down to the level of children very easily.  She should be able to link her soul to the soul of the child.  She should be able to see through the eyes of the child and hear through her ears.  Only such a teacher can motivate the learner and make learning effective.

The role of the teacher is central in transacting a child centred and activity oriented curriculum.  What is the role of the teacher?

Democratic group leader

The teacher should be a democratic leader who can lead the group of students considering their characteristics.  She can intervene in group activities in a suitable way and provide direction.

Motivator for learning

Finds out likes and dislikes and produces  learning problems and provides help to develop interest in learning.  Encourages activities for intellectual development and group work.

Fellow learner

A good teacher does not remain cut off from students during various activities.  He functions as one among them.

A constant student

The teacher must internalize the visions of child psychology and new philosophies in education and endeavour to reform her teaching activities constantly.  Carries out discussion and study to solve problems, reads a lot and is prepared to learn from students.

Problem solver

The teacher is able to identify problems in the class and solve them.  Finds out learning problems in students and initiates measures for solving them.

Planner

The teacher plans the activities to take place in and out of school.  Takes into consideration the learning speed, learning styles & multi levels to plan daily activities.

Researcher

Conducts research in relevant aspects of education and attempts to incorporate the knowledge gained thus in classroom practice.

Organiser

Teacher organises school activities, celebrations, study tours and other social activities.

Evaluator

Evaluates the achievements of the students.

Self - evaluator

Evaluates her own activities and performance.  
Evaluates practical aspects of curriculum transaction.  
Evaluates the overall activities of the school.

Link to the community

Teacher strengthens the bond between school and the community through bodies like PTA and SSG.  Uses local resources and functions as a social activist.

Creator

Makes learning aids and equipment.  Attempts to develop teaching strategies and present them in an enjoyable way.

Please allow the following  Rights of the pupil

A curriculum which aims at comprehensive development of the student must take into consideration international perspective.  Following are the main ideas about rights of children put forward by the UNO.

• Irrespective of sex, are children must be given opportunities to form and express their ideas and due importance should be given for their ideas.  
  

• All children must be given freedom of expression.  They should have unlimited freedom to know and search for ideas and to select writing, print or art medium to express their ideas.  
  

• Parents and elders must discharge the duty to develop the abilities of children.
  

• Education must realize the total development of physical and mental faculties of children according to individual abilities and creative skills.  
  

• The child should have the right to enjoy leisure time, involve in recreational activities and artistic and cultural life.  
  

• The rights of children should not be violated in arbitrary and undemocratic ways.  Democratic atmosphere must be ensured in class rooms.  Children should be protected from torture, cruelty and inhuman behaviour.  Insulting behaviour and punishment must be avoided.

Knowingly or unknowingly activities contrary to the spirit of the above rights take place often in our class rooms, schools and the society.  This must change.

Please arrange Child friendly classroom atmosphere

Learning can be effective and enjoyable only when the class room atmosphere is according to the new conception of learning and the characteristics of the higher secondary student.  The school and the class room should be made attractive for the student. What are the features of a student friendly classroom?

• Class and seating are arranged in an attractive way.

• Democratic nature is upheld.

• Always active

• Students interact with teachers without fear.

• Opportunity for a variety of activities

• Students are allowed to involve in interesting group activities.

• Learning speed, learning style and differing levels of abilities are considered.  Help is extended whenever needed.

• Sufficient instructional materials are available.

• Learning aids and other material made from natural objects and low cost materials by teachers and children are available.

• There is freedom of expression, children share their ideas and experiences.

• Walls are decorated with pictures, photographs of scientists etc.

• Children are given acceptance and encouragement

• Healthy atmosphere

• Needs of each child is given consideration.  Happy and energetic atmosphere.

• Teachers work considering the rights of the children.

• Problems handled in a patient way.

• Teachers look at all events from the child’s viewpoint.

Please Consider Difference in ability levels

There will be students of various ability levels in any class because learning style, learning speed, varying exposure to learning experiences, physical and psychological problems and varying socio-cultural background.

The learning experiences provided must help to bring the low achievers to an expected level and extend the breadth and depth of the skills of the high achievers.

By repeating learning experiences, introducing variations in a learning experience to suit different levels and if needed, formulating additional experiences, the problem of varying ability levels can be tackled. Peer tutoring, small group study techniques etc can also be adopted.