المعلم كوسيلة فعالة في التدريس

The Teacher as a Teaching Aid

Although we now live in high tech world and have access to a variety of teaching aids, there is one aid that  is convenient,portable, uses no electricity, can be used effectively in light or dark and is available all the time.
Yes, the teacher him or herself!

In my experience as a teacher I have discovered that I can involve students more in classroom discussion and activities if I follow certain simple steps.

Movement

Sitting behind a desk or standing on a dais creates a "distance" between the teacher and the students. Try to have an aisle and enough space between the rows so that you can easily reach those at the back. This way you can talk to individual students, allow the shy ones to ask questions quietly without the fear of embarrassment, as well as check their work and help them.

Some movement on your side is essential, because it allows the students to focus on you.

Stepping forward to emphasise a point, small steps towards different sides of the class lets the student feel that the teacher is taking genuine interest in what he or she is saying.

Use body language

Your body should be in your control. Hold it in such a way that you look alert and awake. Avoid slumping and sagging. Just as too little movement is boring, too much movement can be a distraction.

• When your posture is erect it puts you in control of the situation and the students realise this. It also encourages the students, subconsciously, to become alert as well. You may notice the lazy ones sitting up and paying more attention to what is happening around them.

Eye contact

Make an effort to keep eyes lively, aware and interested. Move them around to take in everything. Fix them on specific students, but not for so long that they become uncomfortable! Avoid focusing on the worst or best students.

• Knowing that the teacher demands eye contact keeps the students alert. It also gives the teacher a feedback on the impact of what he or she is saying. This is particularly important in large classes, where "distance" between the teacher and learner is greater, and individual attention is more difficult.

• An effective teacher can control class behaviour to a great extent by the expression of his or her eyes.

• Make sure that you make eye contact with each student, so that it seems you are talking to him or her individually.