The Role of a Teacher in the Lifelong Learning Sector
The Role of a Teacher in the Lifelong Learning Sector
A teacher has a variety of roles. There are three main activities that small group teachers have to manage simultaneously:
1. managing the group 2. managing activities 3. managing the learning.
In many small group teaching situations, the role of the teacher is that of facilitator of learning: leading discussions, asking open-ended questions, guiding process and task, and enabling active participation of learners and engagement with ideas.
Teachers plan for and should provide structured learning. They should have the knowledge needed to deliver and plan an effective lesson and have the time to be able to manage the lesson and provide motivation, support and guidance to the students and support workers within the session. Teachers should be able to give each person within the lesson a sense of belonging and the encouragement needed to be able to achieve, but most importantly, a teacher must be able to effectively communicate in order to deliver all of the above.
Having developed the model over many years prior, David Kolb published his learning styles model in 1984. We all have different preferences in the way in which we learn best. Kolb suggests good learning requires that we go around the cycle and use all of the learning styles at appropriate times.
Concrete experience (feeling) – this is the experiencing part of the learning process, it may consist of a practical exercise or observing a demonstration given by a tutor. Using hand on hand demonstration, the tutor could demonstrate how to use equipment safely and correctly.
Observation and Reflection (watching) – this would be to look back on the experience. This reflection can be done with the teacher but each student should also be encouraged to reflect through self assessment which can help to develop the ability to improve themselves. Also, each student should be encouraged to analyse the process and then ask questions.
A teacher has a variety of roles. There are three main activities that small group teachers have to manage simultaneously:
1. managing the group 2. managing activities 3. managing the learning.
In many small group teaching situations, the role of the teacher is that of facilitator of learning: leading discussions, asking open-ended questions, guiding process and task, and enabling active participation of learners and engagement with ideas.
Teachers plan for and should provide structured learning. They should have the knowledge needed to deliver and plan an effective lesson and have the time to be able to manage the lesson and provide motivation, support and guidance to the students and support workers within the session. Teachers should be able to give each person within the lesson a sense of belonging and the encouragement needed to be able to achieve, but most importantly, a teacher must be able to effectively communicate in order to deliver all of the above.
Having developed the model over many years prior, David Kolb published his learning styles model in 1984. We all have different preferences in the way in which we learn best. Kolb suggests good learning requires that we go around the cycle and use all of the learning styles at appropriate times.
Concrete experience (feeling) – this is the experiencing part of the learning process, it may consist of a practical exercise or observing a demonstration given by a tutor. Using hand on hand demonstration, the tutor could demonstrate how to use equipment safely and correctly.
Observation and Reflection (watching) – this would be to look back on the experience. This reflection can be done with the teacher but each student should also be encouraged to reflect through self assessment which can help to develop the ability to improve themselves. Also, each student should be encouraged to analyse the process and then ask questions.
Bibliography: • Edwards, R/Hanson, A/Raggatt, P. (1996) Boundaries of Adult Learning. London: Routledge • Thorpe, M/Edwards, R/Hanson, A (1993) Culture and Processes of Adult Learning