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Characteristics of Effective School Teachers

Introduction

Teaching is a demanding vocation. Being a good teacher is a challenging job, but a rewarding one. Every classroom setting is different, and every student is unique. Teaching is a calling which requires the teachers to wear many different hats. Teachers have to inspire students to learn, and whenever possible to go beyond their textbooks. Teachers have to be there for their students when they falter and meet with setbacks, encourage them to pick themselves up and try again.

Besides, teachers will have to be their moral compass, guiding students with the values and principles that will give them a sense of identity and conviction in a fast-changing world. As teachers, they need to have a unique role to play in all of this. Teachers must be willing to experiment, while doing all they can to learn from those with more experience on the ground. In addition, it is important for the teachers to build up their intellectual capital, reflect systematically on what they do, and continually grow. The journey of learning as a teacher will be a continuing one.

Course Objectives

• To provide understanding of the teaching and learning process
• To provide understanding of problems and issues that arise from this process, such as motivation, anxiety and how to use them to teaching advantage
• To provide understanding of students as learners
• To suggest the strategies that can involve students in the process of learning
• To suggest ways how to meet and match parents’ expectations

Course Outline

1. Psychology of Learning and Learning Theories: how to teach so they learn
• What is teaching? What are we actually trying to do?
• What is learning? How can we ensure learning?
• Who are our learners – student differences, personality, characteristics, needs, interests
• How students learn, problems in learning, overcoming problems – what turns them on.

2. How to:
• Get active group participation – use of groupwork strategies such as cooperative learning, problem solving, active learning
• Ask questions that get answers – framing questions
• Motivate students – activities and teaching style to generate interest
• Manage the classroom – discipline, motivation issues
• Design interesting lessons – structure and components
• Manage parents’ expectation

Approach: Mini-lectures, slide show, interactive group discussion and presentation, practical exercise, commercial illustration, teasers and puzzles.

Trainer(s)

Assistant Professor Yeo, Kai Kow Joseph

Dr Joseph Yeo Kai Kow is a faculty member in the Mathematics and Mathematics Education Academic Group, National Institute of Education (NIE). He has taught mathematics and mathematics pedagogy both at school and university levels since 1988. His students come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from the gifted and talented, express, and normal streams. Before joining the National Institute of Education, Joseph Yeo Kai Kow held the post of Vice Principal and Head of Mathematics Department in secondary schools. He was part of the team at the Research and Evaluation Branch in the Ministry of Education between 1998 and 2000, holding various portfolios including evaluation of IT Masterplan, Project Work, Teachers’ Workload and involved in an international study on the First module of the Second Information Technology in Education Study (SITES). His research interests include mathematical problem solving in the primary and secondary level.

Who Should Attend

The workshop is designed for any school teachers who are teaching in the primary and secondary schools

Course Details

Date:

2 December 2009

Time:

9:00am to 5:00pm

Venue:

NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre

Closing Date:

2 November 2009

Fee:

Standard: SGD$350 Alumni: SGD$280 Group (3 & Above): SGD$315

Registration fees inclusive of:

Course materials
Light refreshments
Lunch
Complimentary parking (1 entry/day) - applicable at NTU@one-north campus only.
Prevailing GST

Online Registration

>> CLICK HERE to Register Online

Methods of Payment

1. Credit Card (Visa and Mastercard only)

2. Cheque made payable to Nanyang Technological University

3. Invoice to Company (for Company Sponsored Participants)

4. E-invoice (for Government Organizations)

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Written notification to cce@ntu.edu.sg or fax: (+65) 6774 2911 at least 10 days before course commencement	No cancellation charges (Full refund)
Written notification within 4 – 9 days before course commencement	50% of course fees (50% refund)
Written notification within 3 days before course commencement	100% of course fees (No refund)