The new teaching approach
A young teacher asked me: “Technology has changed many things but the education system is still too slow to change and some teachers are even resisting the change. Why are they still focusing on the old way of teaching instead of changing to new methods, new technology?
Answer: “For some people, their job is important and anything that impacts it can be considered a threat. The classic method of teaching is based on teachers transfer the knowledge to students via lecture and for many years, teachers are trained to focus on the lecture. Today knowledge can be obtained from the internet, websites, e-books, online tutorials, and other sources so the teaching method has shifted from transfer the knowledge to apply the knowledge. To be able to apply the knowledge students must understand it well so the main teaching focus is on how students learn, not much on how the teachers lecture. However to some teachers, teaching is still about lecturing and not pay attention on how students learn.
It is possible that many teachers may not know about the new approach or receive training on the new method. In the U.S. most teachers must go back to school every two years to learn new things, new techniques and improve their knowledge in order to renew their teacher's credentials. However in other countries, continuous learning is not a requirement for teachers' certificate renewal. Once they obtain a teacher's certificate, it never expires. In this situation, education leaders must provide the direction about the new method and provide additional trainings.
Even teachers understand the change and the new method; it does not mean they agree with it. People are often feared of something new or unfamiliar to them. Since people view their job as a source of stability in their life, anything that disrupts it is not good. Many are afraid of what could happen to them and their jobs so they are resisting rather than adapting the new direction. Teachers who have been successfully in their career often exhibit negative attitudes and doubtful of anything new. They have been doing well based on their trainings and experience so they do not want to do anything different. To them, bringing change can raise questions about whether their existing skills and experiences will be adequate to thrive in the new approach. This insecurity about whether their skills will be enough to ensure success after the change can contribute to the resistance to change.
Every change brings uncertainty and fear. People are always afraid of the unknown so to make the adoption of a new approach, a new method is not easy. It is important to start with change in some classes and continue to explain and communicate to others to lay the foundation for overcoming fear. Giving time, some changes will happen, especially when students realize that they need the new method, the new program as it benefits them.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
