I recently read an article in support of the notion that if students do not want to learn, it is impossible to make them learn. Okay, here’s the honest truth: I wanted to shake this author until his teeth rattled loose and spilled out onto the floor. I was in such disbelief that I read the piece a second time with my own teeth firmly clenched. It was during my second reading that I realized perhaps the author is right. Can a teacher make a student learn? I don’t know. Perhaps a better question is this: Is making a student learn what teaching is all about? My answer to this question is no. The role of an effective teacher is multifaceted to say the least, but making students learn is not a goal often shared among teachers. Effective teachers comprehend the power of making learning exciting and interesting. They strive to influence, enrich, and inspire students to want to learn. Agree?
Standing on my soapbox!
Diane
Totally agree. Our job as teachers is to make it exciting to all children even those who might not be interested in what you are teaching. Our job is to find a way to reach all children
I agree. If we make learning fun, the students will, indeed, learn!
I get to know what all of my students like, and I tie the lessons to what they enjoy. I’ve got a little boy in my class this year who doesn’t know any letters or sounds — yet he can tell you every dinosaur that ever existed!!! We talk about the dinosaurs and what letters they begin with. We put the alphabet on dinosaur cut-outs. I use dinosaur-themed manipulatives for math.
Last year I had 12 girls and 4 boys in my room, so princesses and “Frozen” were easily linked to learning. And one of the 4 boys was a huge wrestling fan, so he learned his letters and sounds using famous (WWE) wrestlers!
If teachers get to know their students and make learning fun, both teachers AND students will be successful! 🙂