Teaching without compromises

Learning at school should be enjoyable, full of challenges and achievements, with pupils being put in the right position to reach their goals. Unfortunately, this not the reality in many schools today.

As a pupil myself, I have seen first-hand how some students can be handicapped by teachers’ inability to recognise how they learn. Too often, teachers adopt a “lecture-like” teaching style, where they feel that standing in front of the class and simply talking for the whole lesson is enough for students to achieve good marks. Speaking personally, this doesn’t work for me: like many, I’m more of a visual learner.

Although constantly making posters and watching animations is not a practical or realistic solution to this problem, I think teachers should be aware that not everyone thinks the same way. Maybe we need a fresh approach. I’m not a teacher, so I don’t know all the different ways that lessons can or should be taught, but as a pupil I can say that this is an obstacle to successful learning.

We should be full of enthusiasm for our subjects and eager to learn: pupils do better when they enjoy their lessons. So why isn’t this happening? Teachers may see trying to change the way they teach as a waste of time, but in my experience the benefits of teaching the pupils the way they learn best significantly outweigh the disadvantages.

Obviously, students in the same class will probably all learn in slightly different ways - but this is not insoluble. If teachers are made more aware of all the different styles they should incorporate into lessons, then results will almost certainly improve across the board.

I expect that most teachers are already putting as much as they can into ensuring pupils achieve the best marks possible. But when it comes to the successful education of students, and helping them achieve the best they can to get to where they want to be, nothing should ever be compromised.

Isabella Dunn
Highers student

Short and tweet

I have a teen crying openly when telling me her teacher is leaving. Kids see teachers’ knowledge of them as a key factor in #raisingattainment.

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@robfmac

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@kellydrbrown [Scotland rugby international]

Healthy tuck organised by @DunipacePS P5 was another huge success this week - well done everyone! #healthyeating

@MrsLMcFarlane

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@jhwordsmith

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@EducationSP

“How free is our education in Scotland when we leave with thousands of pounds of debt?” True that, @NUS_Robert. #NUSScot15

@KirstyEHaigh

A fantastic term in so many ways draws to a close today. We hope you all have a very restful - or for exam candidates, productive - Easter.

@LorettoHead

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