I thought it was interesting because if so many kids are being rushed through topics/units that they need to learn in a certain amount of time; are they really learning it? Or are they putting on a face that looks like they know it? I understand teachers have to get through certain material, however if they are going through it and not actually learning anything, what's the point? This is when participating in class, raising hands and asking questions is a big part of learning. However, kids struggle with asking questions in class because it’s mostly a social thing that has to do with anxieties and fear of being made fun of.
It made me wonder why kids don’t like to ask questions in class or make an effort to try. So I looked up information about why kids tend to struggle to ask for help. According to a website called React to Bullying, they state that students tend not to ask for help due to a feeling of helplessness, a fear of backlash, having a humiliating experience with it, feeling socially isolated and just simply having a fear of being rejected from their peers.
Listen I get it, asking for help can be a hard thing to do especially in front of peers. The more uncomfortable a student feels the less likely they are going to have the confidence to ask for help from a teacher or parent.
There are ways to start trying to slowly work yourself up to be able to talk to a teacher one on one or even in class in front of other students. An example could be, start by writing an email. That way the ice is broken and you can be able to talk with teachers without a face to face interaction which should help lessen the social pressure aspect. Another example could be something as simple as talking with your parents about it. Pretend they are the teacher and plan out what you are going to say ahead of time. That way when you go to talk to a teacher you will at least know what you are going to say.
Another website that I found called Teach Thought actually talked about how teachers could help incorporate a more comfortable environment for students. Some different ways include techniques like encouraging students to ask for help; make it a competition where classes compete to see which class will ask more questions than the other. Starting from a young age is also effective; telling them that asking questions is a good thing to do. There are no dumb or pointless questions. Other peers of yours might have the same one. Playing a game could also be a way to have kids interact with each other and talk about challenges they struggle with in your class. Setting the expectations for the road ahead is a smart idea as well. Making sure they know what they will be doing and what will be expected. And overall, normalizing asking for help. It doesn’t make you any less of a human for asking for help.
(Kostaras)
This information made me think about the Ted Talk and realize that both teachers and students need to put in time and effort into making sure students understand the material that they are learning. I can't just be a one sided deal.
Do you agree or disagree? Comment below.
Works Cited
Kostaras, Penny. "Dear Students, Asking For Help Is A Strength." Teach Thought, 7 April 2019, https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/dear-students-asking-for-help-is-a-strength/. Accessed 16 December 2020.
"Let's Teach for Mastery — Not Test Scores." Ted.com, uploaded by Sal Khan, Nov. 2015, www.ted.com/talks/sal_khan_let_s_teach_for_mastery_not_test_scores. Accessed 18 Dec. 2020.
Make It Possible on Blackboard Stock Photo. 9 Apr. 2016. iStock, 9 Apr. 2016, www.istockphoto.com/photo/make-it-possible-on-blackboard-gm519732782-90687165?utm_source=pixabay&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=SRP_image_noresults&referrer_url=https%3A//pixabay.com/images/search/ask%2520for%2520help%2520in%2520school/&utm_term=ask%20for%20help%20in%20school. Accessed 17 Dec. 2020.
"Why-Students-Don't-Ask-For-Help." React to Bullying, 2020, https://reacttobullying.org/blog/signs-of-bullying/why-students-dont-ask-for-help/. Accessed 16 December 2020.
I agree that students often feel scared or self-conscious when asking questions in class. Today, with our current situation and remote learning, it's probably a good time for students to start working up the courage to ask questions, either by email or conversation. Do you think asking questions in the Google Meets/Zooms might be less stressful than it would be if they had class in person?
ReplyDeleteI personally think it would be more stressful due to the fact that every child is already staring at their face on a screen. And when you talk it bumps you up in the chat box where everyone can see you. Even during COVID I can see a lot of kids even me just feel more uncomfortable talking because there's a lot of silence as it is during the meets/zooms. And if you get something wrong it just makes it more awkward. Not a lot of kids like being put on the spot and especially with google meets/zooms being asked questions is like being put on the spot but worse.
DeleteI agree with this post because it is so important for kids to be understanding what they are learning. Teachers also need to make sure their students get it not just get good grades on their tests.
ReplyDeleteI like that you focused on both the students and the teachers, as it is truly something that teachers can help with but at some point the students need to own their learning too.
ReplyDelete