Hi all!
As a university teacher, I'm deeply concerned about students' attitude to active learning. Today, we talk about intentional learning and other learner-centered approaches to teaching but our students appear not to share our enthusiasm. They'd rather we dictated notes, filled the board with notes and gave them tests and examinations that required regurgitation of class notes. That would be the easier option for the teachers too. But if we did that, what kind of students would we be sending into the workplace?
Universities specify the attributes their graduates should possess. These attributes are mostly generic skills which students develop over the years through the integration of collaborative work, literacy (communication, research, IT skills) and their content courses. I think we need to raise our students' awareness of the benefits of student-centered learning, thereby increasing their motivational levels towards "learning by doing".
Kudos to every teacher who is working to help their students master content. But more kudos to those who are helping their students develop content knowledge and generic skills simultaneously. Knowledge of both will ensure that the students we train today will tomorrow become effective employees, employers, and leaders in various fields.
Or what do you think?
I suppose it's just human nature to take or want to take the easy way out. But teachers are there to guide and mentor students. I salute all teachers who are doing their job well!
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