When the teacher becomes the student

An expert reports once said that during a discussion, there are usually three sides to every story: his side, his hand, and of course the truth.

This is something that we must keep in mind as teachers. As educators (especially professors), we were accused of the biggest egos on this side of Mount Rushmore. One of the quickest ways to burn in education is to refuse to accept change. If we admit it or not, life moves and changes constantly.

Students are constantly exposed to material that we once never dreamed existed. Ironically, although students are exposed to more generally know less and are less mature than previous generations. However, this does not discredit the fact that students still bring a unique perspective to our classroom is through their eyes that we can become better teachers.

One of my best strategies for maintaining a high level of motivation in the classroom came as a result of a technique I learned as a stockbroker and sales trainer. Rule # 1 in sales is to bring the score to which you are (your level of understanding), you must first go to where you are (are the current level of understanding). In simple terms, you must know your customer (in this case, your students). This principle simply recharge the batteries every six months and younger, because I know more, the more I grow.

On this concept the education arena, it is necessary to define in a simple and clear your goals and what you would like to happen during a semester (or even a brief interaction) with a student, and then help students make the same. In other words, they know where YOU want to go, help them find where they want to go, and then come up with a strategy for both of you to get there. In terms of trading, call this a win-win solution. Obviously, this strategy can work only if the value of the student, and he or she believes can make you a better teacher.

For example, during my first three years in education, I quickly realized that what I wanted and what students think they needed were diametrically opposed to each other. However, after many interviews with former student, I soon discovered that students were not as concerned about an issue as they were of how the subject was taught. They were more concerned with my attitude towards the answers that would have given them. This was a revelation.

I concluded that, as a parent, my experience and education that I was dictated qualified to teach them what they need to know to succeed. However, when it came to how they received the information, I was totally at their mercy. Because, no matter how good or important the subject is, if no one listens, no one is learning. It 'was then that I decided to go "that you were" in order to get them to where I was.

I met with students individually and collectively to get their perspectives on the class. I asked them what worked and what did not in class? I asked them what they would like to see more or less? What would like to see changed (by me and / or class)? I asked them if they did not recommend this class to another student, why or why not? I asked them what would make the class more productive and more interesting?

These questions can be posed in any work environment, for almost every department, not only in the classroom. I asked similar questions of my clients when I was in Corporate America.

All the input I received, except for the meetings were made anonymously. I can not begin to tell you how important the information was in my career. But in less than a year after the implementation of this idea, I was nominated twice for the distinguished teaching award at my school (the youngest candidate).

If you want to become a teacher more productive inside or outside the classroom, the key is the input of students - should be investigated. It is said that the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again but expecting different results. If you listen to and solicit feedback from students, you should not repeat the mistakes of the past. So your students and value their input, trust me, holding the keys to your success.