EDU 312 {psychology of education}
The qualities
and roles of a professional teacher {section one}
And
how a teacher can utilize the
Knowledge Of
Educational psychology
In handling Adolescence in the
Teaching and learning Process {section two}
Worked by
Okporua Franklyn Dono
“Environmental education student”
Abstract
In the
course of this write up, the quality and roles of a professional teacher shall
be elaborated as a section and how a teacher can utilize the knowledge of
educational psychology in handling adolescence in the teaching and learning
process in another section will be emphasized.
Section one
highlighted some of the necessary qualities and roles of a professional teacher
and the immediate relevance to education. Professional teachers should be an
epitome of useful and relevant qualities that account for their experience and
in-depth study of a specific course or program. These qualities are useful and
important in the teaching and learning process because of the direct or indirect
impact it has on the learners. Student often tries to emulate the teacher that
is they consider him/her a model; therefore these qualities can be emulated by
the students.
Just as
professional teachers express some useful qualities so also they tend to carry
out some necessary roles in the school environment. Professional teachers play
vital roles in the teaching and learning process and this is done to help
facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skill. It is the duty of a teacher
to ensure a successful learning as he/she plays his/her role in the schooling
process as a professional teacher.
The
qualities and roles of a professional teacher cannot be over emphasized as each
context is relevant to education i.e. they both interrelate for the benefit of
both teachers themselves and the student. The quality of a professional teacher
determines how well he/she will perform his/her vital role in facilitating the
teaching and learning procedures.
Section
two talk’s about the adolescence, the stages of development during the
adolescence period, the educational implication of the adolescence and the
usefulness of educational psychology in handling the adolescence. Here the
usefulness of educational psychology in examining the adolescence developmental
trends is been emphasized. The adolescence period is a very critical period in
human development because every successful adult is a product of a blissful and
successful completion of the adolescence period.
Because
the adolescent undergoes some cognitive, emotional, sexual and physical
development, there is need for psychology to help explain how well the adolescent
can be socialized into the dynamic society. Educational psychology therefore is
relevant in the study of the adolescence developmental trends. We shall also
look at the stages of adolescence and its education implication.
The
Quality
And
Role Of
A
Professional teacher
June 2014
QUALITY AND ROLE OF A PROFESSIONAL TEACHER
A Professional Teacher
In
understanding the concept “professional teacher” there is need
to first acknowledge the idea of a teacher. You might want to ask, who is a
teacher, what are the qualities of teacher and the roles a teacher play in the
educational system.
A teacher is
person who teaches either as a profession or as a career as he/she helps others
{learners/student} to learn. Teacher is so much involved in the teaching and
learning process as he or she tends to facilitate learning and share
experience. A teacher therefore can be
define as a person who provide genuine educational experience and knowledge for
students.
Prior to the
above definition of a teacher a professional teacher is someone {teacher} who
has advanced education and vast experience in their respective field of study
or course. Every professional teacher possesses some unique qualities and roles
that are evident in the teacher’s personality. Having known the concept of a
professional teacher we can now proceed to the various qualities and role of a
professional teacher.
Qualities of a professional teacher
The
professional teacher is an epitome of unique qualities and characteristics that
are evident in the proceedings and works of a professional teacher. These
qualities are attributes of a professional teacher and are very essential as
they help us to detect and identify a good teacher. Some of these qualities
include;
1. Accountability
2. A good
teacher should be adaptable
3. A good
teacher should be caring
4. A
professional teacher is cooperative
5. A
professional teacher is creative
6. Generosity
7. A
professional teacher is fearless
8. A good
teacher is organized
9. A
professional teacher is inspirational
10. A
professional teacher should be empathetic
11. A
professional teacher should be patient
12. A good
teacher is trustworthy
13. A
professional teacher should be resilient
14. A
professional teacher is resourceful
v Accountability: Every
professional teacher should be accountable as a teacher cannot have a double
standard that is he/she should be answerable and explicable. Take for example
if a teacher do not allow his/her student to chew gum in class, then he or she
should not chew gum as this ensures the accountability of the teacher.
v A good
teacher should be adaptable: Adaptable on the teachers perspective simply means
been able to make changes to lesson or activities spontaneously because of an
unforeseen situation of circumstances. A teacher must be able to change in
relation to the prevailing circumstances in order to ensure a suitable and
effective teaching and learning process that is if half a class does not
understand a particular concept, the must quickly come up with a better way to
teach the concept.
v A good
teacher should be caring: it is of extreme importance for a professional teacher
to be caring to his/her student and this can be done by going the extra mile to
ensure that every student is successful in their academics. A teacher must seek
to understand the student’s interest and help them connect these interests to
school task or learning experiences.
v A
professional teacher is cooperative: this is the ability and
capability of a teacher to work effectively with the administrators, other
teachers and parents for the benefits of the students. A professional teacher
should be able to establish a sense of co-operation for the purpose of teaching and learning efficacy.
v A
professional teacher is creative: like all others,
creativity is an essential quality of a teacher and it is the ability of a
teacher to create, invent and design useful and motivating concept that will
cajole the student to learn. Here the teacher tries to shape a lesson that is
unique, dynamic and effective.
v Generosity: students
learned more efficiently when their works are reinforce or rewarded and this in
most case is where generosity comes in. e.g. the teacher giving money out for
classroom needs or student needs is an act of generosity and this can boost the
interest of the students, thus generosity is very good quality of a profession
teacher.
v A
professional teacher is fearless: fearless in this context
implies the willingness to try new and realistic approach that is deviating
from the school official curriculum to facilitate the learning process. Here
the teacher takes new steps to foster the teaching and learning process without
any fear or contempt. The aim of the teacher should be to make learning
effective and prolific.
v A good
teacher is organized: In line with the various principles of learning,
research has shown that learning thrives when both the lesson and the learning
materials or teaching aids are well arranged and organized. Organization is a
necessary quality for every teacher. Teaching encompasses so much that those
who are unorganized will be overwhelmed and swallowed up there is need to keep
things in order allowing the teacher to make efficient transitions.
v A professional teacher is inspirational: a good
teacher should possess inspiring quality and this involves the ability of the
teacher to get their student into doing things that are relevant {inspired} and
motivated to become lifelong learners. Therefore a professional should be able
to influence their students taught and capability positively.
v A
professional teacher should be empathetic: empathetic on the
teacher’s perspective is the act of being sensitive and student centered as
pertaining to how a student feels and think. Here the teacher should be able to
sense the student emotional state and feeling and also seek for measures and
approaches to help the child succeed in his/her academics.
v A professional teacher should be patient:
this is another essential quality of a teacher as it measures the
teacher ability to wait when necessary without losing temper. This emphasizes
that a teacher should never give upon a student rather he/she should
continuously strive to create new strategies that might aid and cajole a
student to learn.
v A good teacher is trustworthy: this is
capability and ability of a teacher to get others specifically the “student” to
believe in him/her and whatever he/she is doing. A teacher must strive to gain
the trust of both their students and parents. This is because any sign of
distrust will negatively impact and affect learners both emotionally and
physically.
v A
professional teacher should be resilient: this means not giving in
to adversity and hurdles that might limit performances. A professional teacher
should be resilient and resisting to many obstacles that present themselves
i.e. he/she should be overcoming and firm. The teacher should be able to ensure
a successful teaching and learning process irrespective of all odds.
v A
professional teacher is resourceful: A professional teacher
should be filled with ideas on how to make things work or happen i.e. he/she
should be resourceful. A professional teacher must be able to figure out how to
reach to the student interest and capability by necessary materials available
to the students.
There are
other essential qualities of a professional teacher and some of them includes joyfulness,
vulnerable, passionate, kind, forgiving, evolving, engaging, determined,
dedicated, and compassionate and should possess grit. All these qualities are
necessary attributes that every professional teacher should have thus it is
advised a teacher should strive for an experienced and effective learning
process.
Roles of a
Professional Teacher
Just as
there are qualities attached to professional teacher so also, there are some
vital roles that a professional teacher should play in the teaching and
learning process. The roles of a professional teacher are those necessary or
relevant positions and part played by the teacher to improve and establish a
successful teaching and learning process. These are measurable and achievable
only when a teacher is endowed with some necessary qualities as mention above. Teachers
serve a vital purpose in the teaching and learning process thus they play
several roles which include;
1. To create a
warm, protective and conducive environment or condition under which learning
can effectively take place {social side of teaching}.
2. To impact,
by a variety of means, knowledge to their students or serve as a mediator of
learning {the task oriented side of teaching}.
3. To help
modify student’s behavior thus a teacher plays the role of a disciplinarian.
4. A teacher
also plays the role of a research specialist as he/she tends
to carry out educational researches for the benefit of the students and the
school entirely.
5. Organizers
of the curriculum: Professional teachers are organizers of the curriculum therefore
it is a role that every teacher must play in order to ensure a successful
teaching and learning process.
6.
Parent substitute: Professional
teacher fulfils this role by guiding and directing the student’s decision and
choice of action. This is an essential role to play by the teacher as it helps
to measure the efficacy/efficiency of the teacher in the teaching and learning
and process.
7. Judges of
achievement: Teachers are often judges of achievement, thus judging student’s
achievement through evaluation is also another vital role a teacher should
imbibe and practice within a school environment.
8. Resource
provider: Every teacher serves its purpose as they continually help their
colleagues by sharing instructional resources and transferring of useful
knowledge and facts to the student. These might include web sites, instructional
materials, reading materials, or other resources to help facilitate learning
with students. They might also share such professional resources such as
articles, books, lesson or unit plans. For a teacher to be a resource provider,
he/she must be resourceful thus there is a connection between the quality of
being resourceful and the role of providing resources.
SECTION TWO
The Adolescent,
Stages of adolescent development,
Educational implication and
How
I as a teacher
Will utilize
The
Knowledge Of
Educational psychology
In
Handling
Adolescence
In the
Teaching and learning Process {section two}
Who is an adolescent?
The
word adolescent is derived from the Latin word adolescere which means to grow
up and is seen as a transitional stage of physical, physiological and
psychological human development that generally occurs during the period from
puberty to legal adulthood. Adolescent period is mostly closely associated with
the teenage years though it’s physical, Psychological, and cultural expression
may begin earlier and end later. Adolescence is one of the most dynamic stages
of human development and it is the transition stage between childhood and adult
life.
The
adolescence period is accompanied by a dramatic physical, cognitive, social and
emotional change that presents both opportunities and challenges for
adolescents. Personality development experienced during the adolescence period
contributes significantly to the unique characteristics and maturation of the
young adult.
Adolescence
is a period where childhood issues and health problems are resolved, where new
issues may emerge and when risk for some long term adult health problems may
become evident. The most noticeable change during adolescence involves
physical, psychological, cognitive and sexual growth and development, including
the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics and the ability to
reproduce. All these changes are essential characteristics of the adolescence.
An
adolescent therefore is an individual between the age 11 to 21 years that
exhibit some distinctive emotional, social, psychological, sexual and cognitive
abilities which is unique to the adolescence period.
Stages of development in the adolescence
period
Because
adolescence period is a period of great changes for young people and a time
when physical changes are happening at a spontaneous rate, it tends to
transcend through varying stages of development. Basically there are three
stages of adolescence development and they include the following;
1. Early
adolescence period {approximately 11-13 years}: at this
stage, there is a movement towards independence as moodiness, close friendship
and improved abilities to use speech to express oneself and feelings sets in.
the adolescence at this early stage gives less attention to parents with
occasional rudeness and identification of their own faults as the adolescent
realizes that parents are not perfect. At this stage, there is also an
improvement of the cognitive structure as the individual experience an
increasing career interest. Other areas where the adolescence develops in this
stage include sexuality, self direction and some physical changes like gain in
height.
2. Middle adolescence
period {approximately 14-18 years}: At this stage there is a movement toward
independence and self involvement as the adolescent strives between
unrealistically high expectations and sexual orientation. There is a continued
height and weight gain in male why female growth slows down {females grow only
1-2 inches after menstrual period}.
3. Late
adolescence period {approximately 19-21 years}: There the
adolescence begins to through ideas and has more concern for the future. There
is also an increased sense for serious relationship and clear sexual identity
prior to the adolescence sexual love and physical development also continues as
more weight and height is gained. Adolescent of this period focus on personal
dignity and self esteem and begin to set for themselves realistic goals.
Table of the stages of development of
adolescence period
Stages
of Adolescence
|
Physical
Development
|
Cognitive
Development
|
Social-Emotional
Development
|
Early Adolescence
Approximately
11-13
Years of age
|
ü Puberty: grow body hair, increased
perspiration and oil production in hair and skin. For girls breast and hip
develop
ü Tremendous physical growth:
gain height and weight
ü Greater sexual interest
|
ü Growing capacity for abstract
thought.
ü Intellectual interest expands
and become more important.
ü Deeper moral thinking.
|
ü Struggle with sense of
identity.
ü Feel awkward about one’s self
and one’s body; worry about being normal.
ü Realize that parents are not
perfect; increased conflict with parents.
ü Increased influence of peer
group.
ü Desire for independence.
ü Moodiness.
ü Rule and limit-testing.
ü Greater interest in privacy.
|
Middle Adolescence
Approximately 14-18
Years of age.
|
ü Puberty is completed
ü Physical growth slows for girls
and continues for boys.
|
ü Greater capacity for setting
goals
ü Interest in moral reasoning
ü Thinking about the meaning of
life
|
ü Intense self-involvement,
charging between high expectations and poor self-concept
ü Continued adjustment to changing
body, worries about being normal
ü Tendency to distance selves
from parents, continued drive for independence
ü Driven to make friends and
greater reliance on them, popularity can be an important issue
ü Feelings of love and passion
|
Late
Adolescence
Approximately
19-21
Years of age
|
ü Young women are fully developed
ü Young men continue to gain
height, weight, muscle mass and body hair.
|
ü Ability to think ideas through
ü Ability to delay gratification
ü Increased concern for future
ü Continued
|
ü Firmer sense of identity
ü Increased emotional stability
ü Increased concern for others
ü Increased independence and
self- reliance
ü Peer relationships remain
important
ü Development of more serious
relationships
ü Social and cultural traditions
regain some of their importance.
|
Educational
implication of adolescence period
1. Owing to the turmoil of the adolescence stage
of development, there is need for sensitivity, patience, understanding and open
communication on the part of the teachers and parent.
2. In early
adolescence, children need help in adjusting to hormonal changes that tend to
overwhelm them. In late adolescence, they help in resolving problems relating
to peer relationship, identity and plans for future.
3. Most time
mood swings adolescence thus adolescence need some form of encouragement to
actively participate in sports and physical activities in order to avert some
of their traumatic emotion.
4. Teachers
should be aware that alcoholism, poverty and school experience predispose
adolescents to high risk behavior.
5. Teachers should
encourage thinking and problem solving habits of the adolescence thus schools
should endeavor to teach logic and thinking as method of approaching issues.
6. Schools
should encourage and prepare the adolescence sufficiently to be able to make
realistic career goals.
7. The teachers
or the school should help the adolescents develop a sense of self esteem or a
positive self image.
8. Adolescence
should be encourage to participate in school recognized clubs and associations
in order to expand the students interest.
Teachers' play a very important role in the life of the adolescents therefore every
professional teacher should be well equipped on how to handle the adolescent
behavior and life trends. Psychology is the scientific, observational and
psychic study of human and animal behavior therefore its principles are
relevant to the understanding of the developmental trends during the
adolescence period as well as the teaching and learning process. A discipline
of psychology “educational psychology” involves the application of
psychological knowledge and techniques to foster learning with the sole aim of
improving the educational objectives and system. Knowledge of educational
psychology is very important in the handling adolescent in the teaching and
learning process the question here is how can a teacher utilize this knowledge
for and effective control and guidance of the adolescent. Knowledge from
educational psychology allows the teacher to understand the adolescent
cognitive, emotional, social and physical development and he/she can positively
influence this developmental process. Since psychology studies the mind, the
teacher through educational psychology can decipher or read the adolescent’s
emotions and intelligence quotient. Prior to his/her reading, the teacher can
arrange and design the curriculum in a more suitable pattern to foster or
improve the teaching and learning process.
With this, one way in which I can utilize
the knowledge of educational psychology in handling adolescence in the teaching
and learning process is via the mind of the adolescent. This is because through
educational psychology one can determine the emotional, cognitive and social
development of the adolescent. For instance a traumatize adolescent is
perplexed and anxious and through educational psychology this problem can be
detected and solved when an intent observational mind study is carried out.
Thus if I as teacher can positively and actively influence an individual
thoughts and attitude {mind} in order to effect an improvement in the
individuals cognitive, social and emotional behavior I have ultimately utilize
the knowledge of educational psychology to handle the adolescent in the
teaching and learning process.
Summary
Professional
teachers possess some unique qualities and plays relevant roles in the
educational sector with the sole aim of ensuring an effective schooling
process. These qualities and roles cannot be over emphasized as they are both
relevant for a successful teaching and learning process to be established and
it goes a long way to either directly or indirectly affect the adolescent as
research proves that students learn by emulating their teacher whom they see as
a role model.
An
adolescent is a person or individual that is experiencing inevitable
physiological, emotional, social and physical changes reflecting the emergence
of adolescence period. Professional teachers should be aware of these changes
and must assist the adolescence through this period of flux and struggle for
self esteem and self efficacy and this can be very much achieved by the
application of psychological knowledge through the discipline educational
psychology.
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