It has been observed that some student teachers fail to
perform in their student teaching
assignments because of some weaknesses which may be inherent in them.Hence,
each person should take a careful look at his strengths and weaknesses before
planning for a career.Serious reflections upon past experiences should be
enough indication for arriving at conclusion as to ones suitability for teaching.The list that is stated below
outlines some of the several faults
exhibited by student teachers.
1
LACK OF PERSONAL VIGOR. As has been mentioned
earlier, teaching requires tremendous physical exertion; hence success in
student in student teaching depends greatly on how fit and forceful the teacher
is in working with the young people.Where a student teacher is found lacking in
forcefulness, this creates an element of doubts on the part of the learners and
consequently the class as a whole may loose confidence in him.Generally,
students have the tendency to react positively towards those in position of
leadership who are dynamic in their approaches.
2
POOR SPEAKING HABITS. The general method through
which teachers get across their messages to students is verbal expression.In
view of this,good speaking habits are essential in the teaching of
children.Students find it uneasy to listen to voices that are too soft or too
loud, monotonous,nasal or guttural.When this is the case, the students
generally do not pay attention and ultimately, learning declines.
3
POOR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS. In any teaching
situation,the students look forward to the teacher for something new which they
may add to their stock of knowledge.Sufficient back-ground of knowledge and
skills helps the teacher to plan his course well, to teach it well and to
evaluate well.There is nothing as frustrating as to have teachers who are
inadequately informed or insufficiently skilled in their field of
specialization.Consequently,the students tend to lose confidence in those
student teachers and this reflects adversely on the institution that prepared
them for the teaching assignment.
4
INSUFFICIENT BREADTH OF KNOWLEDGE OF OTHER
SUBJECTS. Characteristically, there are those who are highly knowledgeable about
their own teaching field but grossly deficient in matters relating to
other subjects.As a result,they can
hardly see the relationships between their teaching and other areas of
knowledge.Undoubtedly, a broad general knowledge may permit them to see such relationships
which may help them to make their classes more interesting,practical and
helpful.
5
LACK OF INTEREST.It is good practice for teacher
to be lively and to show deep interest in his students in a class setting and
out of class.By so doing, the students are activated, and their warmth and
effervescence facilitates teaching and understanding.Children are known to want
to live interesting lives and associate with interesting people who help them
to achieve this objective.If a student teacher develops cold feet, the same
will be applicable to his students, but
if he shows some form of enthusiasm, the same is radiated to his students. In
other words, lack of interest on the part of the student teacher foster poor
attitudes on the part of the students.
6
LACK OF POISE.It must be recognized that
everybody feels somewhat uneasy in a new situation, but excessive uneasiness is
bad.Students can observe an attitude of insecurity on the part of the student
teacher, and when this happens the group’s trend of thought is
disrupted.Consequently, effective learning does not take place as some of the
students will capitalize on the situation to disrupt the class by their actions
and remarks, while a few others will develop a feeling of sympathy for the
teacher’s frustration. To avoid this type of embarrassment,student teachers
should be well prepared for the teaching practice experience.
7
DISREGARD FOR NEEDS OF STUDENTS.Any type of
teaching without relevance to the immediate needs of the students or to their
future needs tend to retard their interest and motivation for the subject.Thus,
as much as possible,teachers should help the learners to see the usefulness of
their learning in their daily lives or in the lives they will be leading in the
near future. Although getting background information of each individual student
under the present school system may be a
bit difficult for student teachers as there are no records of such in the
school, yet general information based on the utility of their learning will be
helpful in promoting maximum interest and understanding.
The factors so far listed are not
exhaustive ,but it to be pointed out that they contribute immensely to reduce
the rate of learning of the students. Similarly, a student teacher who exhibits
most of those deficiencies ultimately proves to be unsuccessful in the student
teaching exercise.
As an advice to student
teachers,each prospective student teacher should check his or herself against
these defects and where there is applicable evidence of any of these,serious
attempts should be made to correct such
.
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