Module 1: Introduction

Characteristics of Effective Teachers

What were the characteristics of your most effective teachers?

Effective teachers engage the learners.

The learner is not an empty vessel or a blank diskette to be filled with knowledge, but rather an active organism stimulated to think and problem solve in the process of gaining new knowledge and skills.

Effective teachers are coaches and effective coaches are teachers.

Effective teachers can teach fundamentals, they can break down difficult concepts and principles so they can be understood and they can relate to learners at multiple levels. They are also motivators.

Effective teachers are cheerleaders.

Infectious enthusiasm for teaching and learning are characteristics of effective teachers.

Effective teachers are scholars.

Effective teachers never stop learning, not only in their chosen field of expertise, but also as teachers. They are always in search of more effective ways to stimulate learning. Teachers as scholars give 1000 lectures one time rather then one lecture 1000 times.

Effective teachers communicate.

Teachers must be able to transmit knowledge, attitudes and enthusiasm. Communication also includes the teacher as a listener and observer.

Effective teachers are fulfilled by successful teaching.

When the learner says, “I get it” the effective teacher is rewarded. When a learner says, “Thank you,” the teacher’s heart rate increases a little.

Effective teachers are insightful.

In education, insight is sometimes described as "meta-cognition." Teachers learn from constantly evaluating their own ideas, knowledge, attitudes and performances. To teach is to learn twice. Preparing to teach and to engage in teaching is a learning experience.

Who were your most memorable teachers? Who were your most effective teachers? Did you have two separate lists or were they the same names? Why?