What are some obstacles you may face as a teacher, and according to the context in this unit, how can you overcome these?
Throughout their careers, teachers face many obstacles in their classroom that may hinder their teaching. These obstacles come in many different shapes and sizes. It is the effective and successful teacher who is able to overcome these obstacles while maintaining a happy, positive and joyful attitude. A teacher must remember that it is not the information they possess along with various skills that affects teaching, rather it the ability to overcome challenges in a positive manner that impacts on learning. Some of the many obstacles a teacher may face are; engaging unmotivated children in the classroom, promoting positive conditioning and reinforcement and accommodating those with development disabilities (Symonds, 1941).
Keeping students motivated in the classroom and out is an obstacle many teachers will face. Unmotivated students tend to have negative attitudes, a general dislike for school, give up easily on set tasks and are the major cause of classroom disruption (Eggen & Kauchak, 2010). These factors lead to students having a negative impact on other students in the classroom, thus making teaching difficult for the teacher. In order for the teacher to motivate these students, different theories of motivation such as behaviourist and humanistic must be implemented. These theories focus on motivating students through rewards and encourage them to reach their total potential not only as students but also as human beings (Eggen & Kauchak, 2010). Although many critics believe that rewards send the wrong message to students about learning, many teachers use them as forms of motivation in the classroom. Rewards such as computer time, free time, praise and candy incite children to continue performing well. Also compassionate and caring teachers who care about their students both as human beings and pupils contribute to their motivation
References: Eggen, P., & Kauchak, D. (2010). Educational Psychology (8th ed). United States of America : Pearson. Jones, L. (1980). Positive reinforcement. Education + Training, 22(6), 162 – 167. doi: 10.1037//0033-2909.126.6.910 Klingner, J. K. & Vaughn, S. (1999). Students ' Perceptions of Instruction in Inclusion Classrooms: Implications for Students with Learning Disabilities. Exceptional children, 66(1). Retrieved from http://www.freepatentsonline.com/article/Exceptional-Children/55925112.html Symonds, P. M. (1941). Problems faced by teachers. Journal of educational research, 35(1), p.1. doi:10.2307%2F27528190