Top 10 Things Teachers Should Stop Doing to Their Students

10 Don'ts for Teacher

1. COMMANDING THEM TO DO SOMETHING YOU HAVE NEVER DONE OR ARE NOT GOOD AT

Please don't confuse the word "command" with "ask," "request" or "persuade."

Many teachers say "buy books," "don't be lazy in reading" or "try to finish reading a book" but most of these things they say, they haven't done yet. It's like asking them to pray when you don't believe in God.

Remember that students consider their teachers as role models. What they see is what they do. According to Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory, they learn by imitating the deeds of the elders.

This means that it's more effective to show them that you have a book than to tell them to buy a book. It's more effective to show them you believe in God than to force them to believe in Him by forcing them to pray.

2. FORGETTING WHAT A STUDENT TOLD YOU

Now, anyone can say "well, I'm only human" -- yes but no. Teachers should always remember what a student said or commented. If a student knew that you forgot what he said, it will cause him to think that you don't listen to what he was saying or that you don't like him.

Students are sensitive. They only look at one side of the problem. We must be very careful not to hurt their feelings.

3. GIVING THEM ASSIGNMENTS & NOT COLLECTING THEM THE NEXT DAY

The teaching-learning process is a struggle of respect, trust and authority. The classroom setting itself is a pressure of this struggle. If you let your students know that you are just giving assignments but not collecting them, you will lose their respect and trust.

Next time you give an assignment will be a feeble request in the midst of wilderness.

4. NOT LETTING STUDENTS EXPLAIN

The classroom is a miniature of democracy itself and in any democracy, there should always be due process -- the right to be heard. The teacher as the parent, instructor, coach, judge, model, etc. is the person who decides whether this democracy shall sustain or fall.

The fall or restraint of democracy within a classroom will only lead to two things: revolt or demotivation. The students would either go against you or fold their wings. It's your choice. You hold their future.

5. NOT ADMITTING YOU ARE WRONG WHEN EVERYBODY THINKS YOU ARE

As I've said, the teaching-learning process is a struggle of respect. Respect cannot be earned through pride. It wouldn't chop off half of you life to admit you are wrong. It would actually bring your students closer to you and make them feel you respect their ideas.

Of course, admitting you are wrong is very risky. This is why there are certain arts in doing so.

6. TELLING THEM YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE LESSON

This is a sin, considering that students know that teachers do lesson plans. If the students knew you're not ready for the lesson, they would actually lose interest in the lesson. And, what the heck is the reason to tell the class you're not ready, anyway!?

7. CRITICIZING ANOTHER TEACHER

This doesn't only affect the concerned teacher but also the students and you yourself. If you criticize a specific teacher in front of them, you are modelling a bad attitude and the odds are that the student follow your example.

What if other students in that classroom idolize the teacher you criticize? What if he was one of the students' favorites?

8. GIVING THEM IRRELEVANT ACTIVITIES

Students are rational individuals. They know that square pegs wouldn't fit round holes. This will lead them to curse you at your back.

Unless your activity is enjoyable, think again. Think relevancy.

9. COMPARING YOURSELF TO THEM

First of all, this is ridiculous. I mean, we cannot compare two things different. The people you are talking to are students; you, a teacher. These learners are living in not the same environment, in not the same time, in not the same society and in not the same trends.

Doing this, you will only earn criticisms from your students.

10. THREATENING THEM

Teaching, like debate, is the science of persuasion -- the art of persuasion -- and, like debate, one should always avoid fallacies. Fallacies aren't good and they could make you lose the debate (in this case, the teaching-learning process).

One of the fallacies of debate is ARGUMENTUM AD BACULUM. This is the use of force to persuade the opponent. Not only is this very intimidating and very unnecessary but it's also very ineffective.

The purpose of teaching the learners is to let them believe in you because of trust. Not fear. Remember: Gandhi said that we can win anything without violence.