MALAK TAHER

mtaher.2015cttp@gmail.com

"We teach not only what we know but also what we are. Part of the
ethics of teaching is to realize this responsibility and to become the
best models we can be. (McKeachie & Svinicki, 2014, p.324).
Teaching for me is about providing opportunities for students to
learn, and ensure that they meet their learning expectations. In
addition, teaching in my perspective is about ethics. I respect the
age/race/religion/colour/and background of my students. I am eager
to be a role model for them in the class, and for them to continue
their ethical behaviour once they leave my class.
I truly and faithfully listen to my students and appreciate their
opinions, previous experiences, feedback and ideas. listening is a
skill that can be taught and all opinions are important. Listening
involves many skills other than connected with someone speak. I
show my students that I am interested in what they are saying.
This helps them feel relevant, cared about and emotionally
connected to their class and college. Through developing a sense of
fitting or connection is an important component in developing the
students motivation to learn.
When it comes to a decision, it is our decision as a class not only
mine. Teamwork is something they need to practice and value.
Working as a collective unit toward a shared goal introduces a
variety of skills that will be valuable to students in the workplace.
Such as communication, compromise and collective effort. Through
this, they get to respect each other and definitely feel included and
belonging in the class.
When students disagree with me: I listen to them carefully, I ask
for clarification, I discuss their points, and still we conclude the
conversation with appreciation and respect. It is important that
students learn how to disagree. The best way to achieve this is
seeing me as an example through my daily communication in class.
How I represent a variety of perspectives, mine as well as theirs.
Disagreeing in not a conflict and it will broaden the understanding
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and reflect on the learning process. They will also see the whole
picture and reach their own judgement.

MALAK TAHER

mtaher.2015cttp@gmail.com

Verbal communication is one of the cultural barriers that some of

my students have, being shy to verbalize or reluctant to speak.
When I have a topic, I say that this subject is familiar to me and that
is why sometimes I leave out some important details, so please help
me to fill in the missing information. Sorting out the subject through
helping, minimize the idea of challenging the teacher and
encourages students to participate.
I follow student- centered teaching and active learning.
Students teaching other students is an effective way of teaching.
This is how I learn better too. I use think-ink-pair-share, jigsaw,
group work, and discussions. I also adjust my teaching strategies in
response to the pace and depth of the students understanding
without sacrificing the content, by the good planning of the subject
and managing my time in class.
As my teaching area is marketing, I tell my students that
everything is marketing, and all the activities that a corporation
does should support achieving its ultimate goal. Students ask why
they are taking this subject or how this subject is going to be useful,
I bring in and discuss relevant articles and current events that
relate to marketing. For instance, for an International Marketing
course, I show that Corporations follow certain strategies to
penetrate international markets. I get examples from the real
business world, as a case study for students. On their IPhones,
Laptops, or IPads, they start to search and discuss together, to find
out more about why corporations need to penetrate international
markets? Why did they choose this strategy? What are the pros and
cons of each strategy? In my opinion, what is taught in the class
has to have a link with what is happening in the actual world.
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I purposefully and attentively use Games-Based Learning in

teaching, such as Kahoot, Socrative Who wants to be a
millionaire or The wheel of fortune. For example, in the
Marketing Introduction course, I use terms and their definitions.
Games reinforce and consolidate knowledge in a friendly
environment through practicing and getting a reward for students
accomplishments. Using games enable students to learn through
trial and error, and to understand the consequences of their
choices. I also strongly believe that learning should be fun.
I set clear policies about technology in the class in order to avoid
misunderstanding. As a teacher, I need to know students
expectations about technology and to think carefully about the
technology I may or may not use in my teaching, to help them
concentrate on the subject and make the class time most beneficial.
I find time for my students, to hear them and explore their
concerns. Students are most likely to require assistance when
assignments are due. I schedule my students for meetings and I do
my best to give equal time to all of them.
I always remind myself that in addition to being a teacher, I am a
student. I am urged to update my knowledge and skills through
pursuing further education to enhance my competence, and find
new attractive ideas that facilitate delivering knowledge and
providing opportunities to students. For example: using Nearpod in
class, and how is it a great technology way to unite the class and get
prompt answers.
As their teacher, I have a personal responsibility to be a role
model for students so that they may learn character qualities that
will help them evaluate the consequences of and accept the
responsibility for their actions and choices, both in class and in their
workplace.