Teaching is an art and the teacher an Artist. As the Artist is governed by certain principles, which help him acquire proficiency in his profession, so also, a teacher is governed by certain principles which help him/ her acquire proficiency in teaching. The teacher has to shape and mould the student according to some principles. It is important to know the developmental characteristics of children at different levels so that he can take the advantage of the interest and motivation of the students in a teaching/learning task.
Generally, the teacher and the student communicate under three types of relationship namely:
1.Authoritarian: An authoritarian teacher considers himself as a cultural architect, centralizes all process on himself and firmly directs the action of his students. Teaching here is completely teacher centered and the students follow the orders, they remain passive listeners of the information imparted in the class. This kind of relationship has no place for free discussions and expressions on the part of the students. Studies have revealed /shown that this type of relationship leads to:
(1) Students developing apathy and dependency. (2) They lack the capacity for initiation and group action.( 3) In absence of the leader, they showed no interest in the work. (4) Hostility and aggression developed towards other fellow group members.
2. The democratic teacher respects the individuality of his students. He does not orders and impose restrictions on his students. He creates such an environment in which students freely communicate with each other’s ideas, the teacher works as a leader of the group. The teacher and the students work on the principle of give and take and respect each other’s ideas. They mutually discuss the problems and arrive at some conclusion. The teacher holds an outlook toward learning that emphasizes purposive in human experience and behavior.
According to study the following characteristics are developed in a democratic classroom:
1) Friendliness and more confiding atmosphere.
2) Mutual co-operation and recognition.
3) High level of efficiency and habit of independent work.
4) Initiating of working effectively in absence of the leader.
3. A laissez- faire teacher does not direct or guide the students activities. Students are left free to do what they like. He may answer to the questions put by the students but does not impose anything from his own side.
The following characteristics have been reported through experimental studies.
1) Co-operative.
2) They showed less tendency to direct their resentments towards their fellows.
3) Insecurity was reported by the group.
4) Dissatisfaction against the leader.
Many years of my association with the teacher & student community has left me with wide experiences some of which I would like to share with our esteem readers. I have come across teachers of different types falling under different categories that I have mentioned above. I have seen that the teachers who are more affectionate and loving toward the students fared well in their profession, winning the love and respect of the students. But the teachers who tried to impose their authority were hammering on the cold iron. The students rebelled and revolted against them. They could never inspire the students neither could they shape and mould them.
Teaching is not only a noble profession, but teaching is a mission. A teacher’s mission field is his classroom. It is only when a teacher realizes his mission that he/she would be able to teach, guide the students in the right path. Many at times, we come across cases of problems arising between the teachers and the students, leading to imposing of severe punishments, boycotting of classes, non-co-operation by the students and in some cases, some students even go to the extreme of dropping their studies because they have had an unpleasant experience in the classroom. The cause of all these problems cannot be pin pointed to the indiscipline of the students alone, but these kind of problems could be averted with a little effort on the teacher, if he/she could be little more gentle and affectionate towards the students. Once the affectionate love and concern is shown towards the students, they develop confidence upon the teacher and freely discuss their problems and communicate with the teacher openly. Such a congenial atmosphere will create no room for telling lies out of fear and indiscipline in the classroom. When the teacher recognizes the needs and problems of the students , extending help and support, it automatically gives them morale boost and help develop confidence in themselves.
I would like to cite personal experience which was an eye opener to me also. After the declaration of HSSLC- 2012 exam, I was seated in my room with some of my teachers when one of the student came into my room, went near one of the teacher seated there and said the following words “Madam, I am really thankful to you, without your help, I could never have continued my studies. I have come out successfully, thanks to you Madam”. I was curious to know the reason and asked the particular teacher reason behind all this. Then she narrated that the student did not come to class for many days, and the selection exams were approaching. So she rang him and enquired about his welfare. He told her he had no money to purchase text books and without text books he was not allowed to sit in the class. She asked him to come to the class the next day itself and meet her. The student came the next day and told the teacher that his parents being poor, could not afford to buy him text books. Then she asked him. “Are you really interested in continuing your studies?” He said yes, so she told him that she would give him the money to buy the books so that’s how he continued his studies and got through his exams. I was so moved when I came to know the whole truth. Then I realized that, had that teacher not extended her help, the student would have been struck off from the attendance register and we would have dropped a promising young student from continuing with his studies. That particular incident is one of the many instances /cases that we have come across. There may be such problems which are being faced by the students; there may be reasons behind their being indisciplined, mischievous, not attending classes regularly, etc. It is at this point of time when they most needed a teacher’s help, guidance and counseling. If a teacher only scolds, or rebukes and impose orders on them, they will drift further along and be lost in the sea of their problems. So a teacher should be wise enough to solve the problems being faced by the students.
A teacher is a role model for the students. One may be a teacher of high calibre, but his bookish knowledge alone does not suffice to make him an ideal teacher. He/she should help the student in their all round development of their personalities. A teacher should remember that the young lives of the future generation is in their hands and it is our noble duty to shape and mould them, prepare them to be efficient and responsible leaders of tomorrow. As we celebrate the Teachers Day on the 5th of September, and as the student community shows their love and respect upon the teachers, let us ponder upon whether we are worthy enough of such accolades and tributes.Let us re-affirm and re-dedicate ourselves to our service and let us try to create a cordial and congenial relationship with our students and make teaching –learning process an exciting experience.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL THE TEACHERS!
R. Amongla Jamir
Dy. District Education Officer
Dimapur: Nagaland
