Deconstructing the idea of the knowledgeable teacher right from the start

The transition from the scholarly teacher to the more open, liberal and supportive teacher is slow to take place in many environments. It's rather rare to come across an article presenting error from the point of view of the teacher in the learning process.

From the very first days of class, the teacher's mission is to deconstruct the idea of the knowledgeable teacher, which is slow to dissipate in learners' imaginations. This is the key to a more pleasant learning climate in the classroom.

The teacher: a human being

The teacher is first and foremost a human being, so it's possible for him to make mistakes in his attitude towards learners and even in the transmission of knowledge. Although they have undergone training and taken part in seminars to help build their personality and know-how, they are still human beings who may experience moments of frustration in their daily lives, with a direct effect on their performance. He's not a superman from another planet with unlimited qualities. On the contrary, he has uncertainties and, as Philipe Perrenoud states, is afraid of "not having the upper hand" in the classroom.

If the learner's error is at the heart of learning, because it's what allows the learner to evolve, we are less tolerant of the teacher. They are expected to be perfect, which is simply not possible. In an article published in the media outlet La Libre, author Cécile Verbeeren states: "I think that, just as mistakes are accepted in learning, tolerance towards the teacher should also be part of the codes of pedagogy.

Breaking the ice

Every teacher is first and foremost a learner. There have been moments of uncertainty along the way. No one falls from the sky with the label of teacher on their forehead. From this point of view, recounting the milestones of one's career, the difficulties encountered in the learning process and professional experiences already reassures the learner that one knows his or her situation, having experienced it in the past.

When learners arrive in a new classroom, they often need to be reassured, to get their bearings. The first few days are therefore decisive in capturing their attention and boosting their motivation. Hence the need for teachers to understand this challenge and act accordingly. It's a good idea to put yourself in the perspective of someone who is also going to learn from his learners, with whom you'll form a real team. In fact, a learner who feels concerned and considered will be more active.

When we were younger, we all had preferences for one teacher or another, and this was perceptible through our involvement. Everyone has at least one story to tell about a particular teacher during their school years. The reasons for this admiration are certainly diverse, but what they have in common is that they revolve around elements such as availability, originality, performance, simplicity and interaction.

Interaction: for solid learning

The TTI (Teaching Through Interactions) model has proved its worth. It's an approach increasingly adopted by teachers. In fact, it emphasizes the importance of quality interactions to solidify the relationship between teacher and taught. He proposes three key areas:

• emotional support
• classroom organization and
• learning support.

From the outset, these are prerequisites to consider when it comes to creating a solid bond with learners to guarantee efficient learning and improve interest and motivation time and time again.

In the absence of interaction in teaching practices, solutions are proliferating in this sector, notably collaborative learning. Collaborative learning is a great way of bringing learners together and introducing them to critical thinking. It fosters a sense of belonging to a community and a favorable climate for interaction.

In this vein, a collaborative learning solution like Q-NEX, a digital technology, facilitates collaborative projects. On the menu: smart classrooms for blended learning, interactive screens and more.

From the outset, this approach makes it easier to reduce too much focus on the teacher, while at the same time placing specific emphasis on the learners, the primary target of learning. This solution is now being applied in many schools and universities around the world.

All in all, the teacher stands to gain from creating the best learning conditions for his or her learners, right from the start. This means deconstructing the idea of the learned teacher. Being more tolerant of the teacher will also not go amiss; on the contrary, it will help reduce the pressure. Finally, a more interactive learning context is conducive to achieving this learning objective.

Illustration: image generated by Meta AI

Sources

A teacher can make mistakes, that's his or her right
https:// www.lalibre.be/debats/opinions/2017/12/11/un-enseignant-peut-commettre-des-erreurs-cest-son-droit-chronique-UN2R4MDCMBBAZNLMBJW2ZFXJ64/

Ten things left unsaid, or the hidden face of the teaching profession.
https:// www.unige.ch/fapse/SSE/teachers/perrenoud/php_main/php_1995/1995_04.html

The teacher-student relationship at the heart of educational success
https://journals.openedition.org/edso/22736

The teacher-student relationship of trust: perceptions of students with academic difficulties
https://www.erudit.org/fr/revues/mje/2009-v44-n2-mje3585/039032ar/

Teaching Through Interactions - NIH
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8423353/

Improving teacher-student interaction and cooperative learning with the Q-NEX collaborative learning solution
https://qnextech.com/fr/blog/enhancing-teacher-student-interaction-and-cooperative-learning-with-q-nex-collaborative-learning-solution/

Case studies with interactive screens Case studies-Q-NEX
https://qnextech.com/fr/case-studies/