by Jacob Lasilas

Created on: January 02, 2010

Educators have responsibilities to several different groups.

For students educators have the responsibility to:

-Use many different teaching styles and delivery methods so that all students have an equal chance to learn. This involves incorporating the principles of Universal Design for Learning and taking into account multiple intelligences.

-Structure the course as a student centered course.  This means it will include hands-on, interactive activities designed to teach students how to apply what they are learning.  It is not enough just to learn a concept; students must be able to apply the knowledge as well.

-Help students to apply the material they are learning to the real world.  Students must be able to make a connection between the material they are being taught and what is going on in their lives.  If the material is not relevant then the student will not keep an open mind and will therefore not learn as much as they could have otherwise.

-Use many different ways to assess student’s learning.  Some students may not take tests well but can prove they know the material by completing a project.  For other students the opposite is true.

-Make education challenging and interesting.  Teachers must challenge students to learn.  Students must work for the knowledge they will gain or they will not appreciate it and will not remember it.  Teachers must keep the material interesting in order for it to be memorable.

-Continue to learn themselves if they are going to pass on knowledge to their students.  Teachers must set an example of lifelong learning.  The most important thing is for us to grow as people and as educators.

-Help students reach their goals whether it is preparing for the workforce, preparing for graduate school or learning the skills necessary to keep their current job.

For society educators have the responsibility to:

-Arm students with the skills necessary to succeed in society today.  In order to succeed in society students must be able to obtain a job and perform that job well enough to maintain employment.

-Teach students how to behave ethically no matter what their career choices are.

For themselves educators have the responsibility to:

-Have fun.  Educating others is a lot of hard work but should be rewarding.  The opportunity to serve as a mentor is the greatest honor one could receive.

-Continue learning.  Certainly this isn’t a problem for most teachers.  Good teachers can see the educational value in just about anything.

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