End Product or Thought Process?

While recently studying teachers’ methods of grading, I observed that most teachers grade students based on their ability to restate facts rather than upon the thought process that goes into learning. I believe that only grading the “end product” causes students great anxiety about their grade and inhibits them from enjoying the process of mental exploration and learning. While students should experience some prompting and excitement in education, I believe that students should be free of worries and fears while learning. Students need to know that learning is not only achieving knowledge about a subject, but is also about the thought process to obtain that knowledge. This process should be taken into account during the grading evaluation. How a student arrives at their understanding should be a vital part of the measuring process, not simply for what they accomplished at the end.

What do you think about students’ end product versus their thought process?

Nature

Recently, I saw studies about teachers who sometimes have class outside in a naturalistic environment. I think this type of environment could help students reflect and learn. Since I believe in the importance of combining heaven, earth, and mankind for a person to reach their full potential, I can see how different environments assist students in reaching their full potential. Teaching in nature can allow students to experience learning with other people while also individually discovering what they see and feel around them. This environment could help them use what they have learned in the classroom and combine it with what they learn outside.

What do you think about teaching in a naturalistic environment?

Happiness

I recently watched a teacher teach in a very angry and stern manner. This caused the students to lack excitement to learn. I believe it is important to cultivate a happy and peaceful teaching environment because it enhances student learning and development. I believe your attitude determines your level of happiness. Having the right attitude in any situation can lead to happiness. Even though many tough moments occur in teaching, remembering to stay positive and keep the right attitude can change your entire teaching experience. Teachers who tend to be negative and angry need to let go of their mistakes and regrets and see what they can do to change their ways. To gain happiness, I believe there are techniques teachers can use. First, teachers need to look inward. They need to explore their inner hearts and make sure they have peace within themselves. Peace within will result in happiness. Teachers also need to look outward. They need to reach out to the outside world and appreciate what they have by looking at others in the world. Using attitude adjusting methods such as these can help teachers and students develop their inner hearts and souls while guiding them to make good choices and live happy lives. Happy teachers create an environment that will influence students’ happiness.

What do you believe causes happiness?  Do you believe it is individuals or others as well?

Giving students time

While observing teachers recently, I noticed that many of them ask questions of their students, yet do not allow those students adequate time to respond. I believe that thinking and processing answers take time. In my experience, giving students silence after asking them a question helps them think more intently about the question. I have always taught in a calm, relaxed setting so that students can work answers out for themselves with sufficient time. I believe that teachers need to teach with forbearance and remember that students need time to reflect and ponder before the teacher demands an answer.

Do you agree that we should give students plenty of time to reflect?

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Confucius and I am a Chinese philosopher and teacher. I would like to reach out to fellow philosophers and share some of my views and questions. I am excited to learn new opinions and views!