Journal - We Are Teachers
First and foremost, learning can happen in almost any environment if the educator or teacher understands that they must be able to recognize the individuals as humans first, then learners second. When it comes to a higher education setting, most learners are either coming directly from high school or have taken a small break from a formal setting of education of learning.
This creates a few issues if the educator or teacher does not pay attention. Everyone in the classroom setting has different life experiences with education in all areas of learning. That can be either formal, non-formal, self-directed, or online (Merriam & Baumgartner, 2020). The first step in intentionally personalizing learning comes from understanding and comprehending that their students are humans and come from many life experiences that have built a foundation of learning for them, and it is different for everyone in any educational setting.
A second step would be to find out a bit more about the students in their class and this comes from having personal conversations in a formal and non-formal setting or assessments and questionnaires to help build a better picture of who the human they are teaching. This allows the educator to paint a better picture of the student and their learning style and educational learning history.
The third step would come from being able to show that they are well-organized, knowledgeable, open to learning/listening to their students, and caring (Merriam & Baumgartner, 2020).
As an educator, it’s important to recognize that every individual has a unique way of learning. Being able to identify these methods can help in providing effective instruction, both on an individual level and when teaching a group.
One effective way to engage students is through relatable storytelling and the timing of real-life experiences by educators tying what it is they are teaching to their students. Additionally, educators can also demonstrate the skills they are teaching in front of or with students, such as dancing, exercising, or creating art, to provide detailed guidance at a micro level. This approach can enhance students’ understanding and awareness of the nuances of what they are learning, helping them to consume the material.
By taking a low-stress, low-skill approach to learning, individuals can better retain information. This foundation can then be built upon in higher stress or more challenging environments, allowing learners to adapt and improve their abilities to learn.
As educators, it is important to acknowledge that individuals are human beings with emotions, minds, hearts, and feelings. Providing them with the necessary tools to endure higher forms of learning involves recognizing their innate abilities to absorb knowledge.
It is the responsibility of educators to foster growth in higher education for individuals from all backgrounds. This entails providing the necessary nourishment to allow learners to explore their abilities and retain and apply what they have learned to real-life experiences and situations.
