PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS OF EFFECTIVE TEACHERS

What is a Problem

Sources of Problems-Teachers Goals

Primary Biological Needs

Secondary Learned Needs

Socialpsychological needs Job-related needs

Types of Classroom-related Problems

Affiliation needs to maintain good relationships with others in the school Parent Relationships and Home Conditions getting along with parents

Control need to have students behave well

Student Success need to help learners achieve both academically and socially

Preventing and Resolving Classroom Problems

Problem-solving is a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing and solving problems. The ultimate goal of problem-solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the issue.

Developing a Problem-Solving Attitude

Have a lets solve this approach

Search for new approaches

Refuse to blame others

Refrain from jumping to conclusions

Accept their problems

Replace natural emotional with thoughtful ones

Focus on the present or future rather than the past

The Problem Solving approach

Stage 1 Problem Identification and Ownership

Stage 2 Value Clarification is it worth it?

Stage 3 Analysis of problem

Stage 4 Rate the potential solutions

Stage 5 Implement and evaluate the best solution

Some Final Thoughts

Reflective Teaching
a habit where effective teachers appreciate, apply and synthesize aspects of good teaching by examining them from different angles

Reflection

Ability to look back on their teaching and learning in their classrooms, make judgments about them and change their teaching behaviour as a result

Benefits of Reflecting on Teaching

1. It enhances your learning about teaching

Have concrete learning experience Have opportunity to reflect on the experience by recapturing and evaluating it Integrate your reflections with what you already know about teaching

Benefits of Reflecting on Teaching

2. increase you ability to analyze and understand classroom events reflection makes you more thoughtful and wise

3. enhance your classroom life as a teacher

4. makes you become self-monitoring

The Reflective Process

Descriptive Describes the event or issue
Comparative compare alternative views of the event from variety of sources in order to understand the event or issue from other perspectives

Evaluative Uses description and alternatives to make a judgment about the event or issue

Characteristics of a Reflective Practitioner

They routinely and purposefully deliberate or reflect on teaching
They are open-minded and willing to question their own views of and reactions to their teaching practices and the school culture

They take responsibility They are sincere They have a spirit of inquiry

Your tasks
Identify and interview your partner (who has experience teaching before). Ask questions pertaining problems they face at school and how they solve such problems. Compare the interview results with those your classmates obtain. What common problems do you find among teachers?

Your tasks
Identify and interview your partner (who has experience teaching before). Compare the interview results with those your classmates obtain. What common problems do you find among teachers? What did you learn about teaching, learning, and about yourself as a teacher (based on your GSTT experience)