Soft Skills: Fou ndation to be Modern T eacher
Science that deals with practice of teaching “Pedagogy� exists from ages. It relates you to the fact, you as a teacher must acquire new soft skills because progress is impossible without change.
Teaching methods are changing with evolution of society, it is more oriented towards psychology of students along with use of technology. It is said “Influence of a good teacher can never be erased�.
Group Dynamics: You must be good in group dynamics. It can be defined as change of behaviour through interactions in a group. Any classroom involves many group activities to complete a project, in playground or in laboratories. When you have good knowledge of group dynamics, you would be able to
Guide your students how to adjust easily in their groups. Promotes healthy interactions and avoid negative attitudes. Deal efficiently with different social groups. Remove stress and conflicts in groups.
Body Language: Â Your body language while teaching has lot of significance. It is a nonverbal mode of communication. Studies say that nonverbal communication holds 93 percent of importance and verbal communication holds seven percent communication. You should master the principles and methods of correct body language as student often intimate words and action, subconsciously.
Eye Contact. Voice Modulation. Positive Body language like smiling and nodding. Confident body posture
Interpersonal skills: You must have good hands on your interpersonal skills. It includes both verbal and nonverbal form of communication. Even if you have good experience and knowledge over your subject , you interpersonal skills is one of the key which contributes a lot in your progress and success.
Ability to make concept clearer. Listening with patience is very important. Communicate message correctly. Talking with staff and parents. Acknowledge and accept that all students are different. Helps to make class lively and positive.
Negotiation Skills: You must be good in having negotiation skills in classroom. Negotiation skill is required more because the idea ‘teacher is always right ‘is changed now. Both students and parents may require strong and logical explanations to convey information, in launching process and procedures. You can adopt your own style and experiential knowledge in putting effective negotiations.
Share positive and constructive feedback with students. Make students feel that they are progressing. Listen empathetically and can give personal feedback to students. Use constructive language like ‘I understand your issue’.
Time Management: You should have excellent time management skills as you need to balance long term goals of your classroom. You are required to manage loads of paperwork with every assignment and have to manage every educational need. Effective time management is that how ready are you with your study material even on the day of your sick leave.
Your classroom must not be affected in time of nay crisis, and this is what makes you a step ahead in your teaching career. It helps you to do more things in less time and take out time for fun activities more effectively.
Avoid procrastination. Plan homework strategically. Be ready in case of crisis. Schedule priorities very effectively.
Presentation Skills: Your presentation skills depend on rate of understanding your message by your audience. Imagine how you would get good results in your class, if you cannot convey your content and style to fit in with your students.
Your presentation skills also involve your verbal and nonverbal skills. In your timelines you should be able to present your study material with optimal pace that gives time to your students to listen, to take notes and then ask questions.
Use visual aids effectively. Avoid reading your notes on your slides. Take care of your time lines. Make the content or a complex topic into the simplest form. Prepare before your teachings and presentation.
Effective Action Plans: You must be able to teach skill of achievement to your students. You can observe that how your students are motivated towards your goal or are they really interested in setting any goals for them. There is a quote “If you don’t know where are you are going, you will end someplace else”.
Help them to develop SMART goals: S = Specific M = Measurable A = Attainable R = Relevant, Rigorous, Realistic, and Results Focused T = Timely and Trackable
Help students to reach their goals, one goal at a time. Discuss with students which is focused on the journey. Can choose a theme to focus example, sports and social relationship. Help them to choose realistic goals.
Student motivation: You must know more than 100 ways to motivate your students to avoid your challenges. If few ideas do not work you must be ready with another way. You should know how to create situations in your classroom where mistakes and wrong turns takes shape of innovation and discovery in your student’s life.
Promotes a mind set focused on growth. Design assessments. Use feedback as a tool to motivate your students. Promotes sense of belongingness and trust. Research new information on the subject.
Technology: Â You must have good hands on technology to enhance your teaching experiences in your classroom. You are not required to learn each and every new technology because then you may get puzzle in the riddle of technological maze.
Choose list software and take a mastery over it, which is helpful in real sense instead just adding some software names in your bio data.
Check latest mobile application to enhance teaching. Learn technical skills by watching videos. Join technical forums online and get technical updates. Use social media and ask your friends about how using technology in teaching.
Discussion management: You must have good discussion skills in a classroom to bring the best from a classroom and from an individual. You can find it one of the most challenging skill also but most rewarding.
When you use it as a primary teaching skill it stimulates critical thinking and also you motivate them to think more differently and in depth before they ask questions. Before getting into the discussion you must be prepared for all answers and key concepts. Following points helps you to improve your discussion management in a classroom.
Understand skill of your students. Create an environment of mutual trust with your students. Call students by their name.
You can list rules and expectations of discussion on the board. Communicate importance of discussion. Plan and prepare discussion for your classroom.