Personal Teaching Metaphors
Posted by Stan Bogdanov; Last updated: 30 October 2009 - 17:29By answering a few (not so) simple questions and reflecting on the role of the teacher, the roles of the students, the classroom and the process of teaching, my Personal Teaching Metaphor has given me an insight into my personal teaching style - how and why I do the things I do in the classroom.
Here I challenge you, teachers, to reflect on these and post your Personal Teaching Metaphors as well as to comment on other people's metaphors.
Stan's Personal Teaching Metaphor - an Orchestra Conductor
My personal teaching metaphor is that of an Orchestra Conductor. This defines the role of the teacher as being a bit directive. The role of the students are those found in an orchestra. There's a first violinist, thus the class has a certain hierarchy. But we all work together towards a common goal.
The process of teaching is that of hard work and fun, sometimes playing in harmony, sometimes not in accord, but most importantly, working together as a team and in a team. The personal differences (like the different musical instruments) should be brought together in a way that does not create dissonance: that's the conductor's responsibility and knowledge and skills. But each member of the orchestra needs to do their hard job and take their responsibility to play his/her part as close to perfection as possible.
From the above, it seems I'm very goal- and success-oriented and focussed on performance. However, that's not my own performance, but the success of the orchestra is the success of all and everyone. And the reward for the hard work and effort it all brings is owned by all and everyone.
This is far from written on stone as we, ideally, (should) constantly question, review and change our teaching styles, so I may and will add to this and change as appropriate as time goes on, with more experience, gaining more understanding of my personal teaching style. Take the dare and send us your Teaching Metaphor.
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