Students need learning exemplars

Recently, a student mentioned feeling unheard while giving a presentation because the teacher was on the phone.

- Mariano Miguel Carrera

I smiled and, at first, thought that she might realise that is how teachers feel when students are on their devices, scrolling through social media or playing games in class.However, on closer consideration, it occurred to me that her point reflected something bigger that I had heard before from attentive students. Some teachers are setting poor examples for students.

Teachers want students to learn but how often do they train themselves as students? Few lecturers actually take formal classes, with the occasional conference workshop checking the box. Various universities host several workshops and talks. Of the five I attended last year, I was the only external visitor.

The lack of movement is even seen in class, with teachers sitting in front and talking rather than moving around interacting. Teachers talk about building curiosity, exploring new areas, being innovative, and so on, yet their actions remain limited. Ask teachers about the variety of their training or school’s training plan.