The Magical Words in Education

Teaching is a very responsible job. A teacher contributes immensely and effectively to a student’s life. A teacher has to be clear and precise in whatever he/she wants to deliver to his/ her students. It is very important for a teacher to communicate with the students often and try and understand their needs and wants.

There may be a chance that the student is unable to answer such questions that the teachers put up but sometimes only asking the students about their needs is sufficient. This shift from the traditional classroom to a dynamic one has indeed reformed the education sector effectively. The seven magical words – What can I do to help you? have a great impact on the minds of the students. These seven words reform the classroom in an effective way. It removes the gap and the hesitation between the students and the teachers. The teachers and the students come together and conquer the problems faced by them in the day to day classroom routine. This imbibes confidence in the students and they feel a sense of support and backing. They start believing that they are not alone in their struggle through their student life. Students start seeing the teachers as their friends and companions rather than as obstacles. These magical words are also helpful in building effective administration. Just as there is hesitation between students and teachers, a similar hesitation is seen between teachers and the principal. The principal always asks the teachers questions of the type – What are your test numbers?; How will you improve the performance of students?’ Is your class taking part in the extra-curricular activities? But we have hardly heard of schools where the principal walks into the classroom and asks the teacher that – What can I do to help you in the teaching process? These magical words have also proved to be useful at the policy level. Edward Demmings, who was an American engineer, statistician, professor, author, lecturer, and management consultant, was of the view that the answers to an organization’s problems could be found closest to the place where the actual work was being done. We often keep reforming the strategies and the policies that are framed to run an institution but we often forget that the real progress and change is required where the actual work is done. Indeed we could improve the working conditions in schools and the morale of the teaching force, even as we uncovered some of the solutions to school improvement. Although bringing about this change is not a child’s play but starting it is simple. It can easily be done with these simple, magical seven words- What can I do to help you?

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2018/11/01/the-sis-most-powerful-words-in-education/amp/