When considering teaching in Further education, I assumed that managing behaviour and having to establish ‘ground rules’ had been left at the school gates, amidst an onslaught of eggs, signed uniforms and flour.
Of course, having had a little experience, I now feel that students in F.E are the most diverse group to teach anywhere in education and with that, equally diverse in terms of behaviour and motivation.
In order to establish and instigate ground rules in the first …show more content…
Giving feedback in a supportive way can help to encourage students to use study skills by highlighting how making notes or paying attention more closely can better equip them in meeting the demands of the program. Of course, I am aware that not everybody will want to interact fully within the group in this way and some would rather things were direct and less ‘fluffy’. I myself like to find a quiet place during a break and spend time alone. Sometimes I want to stay where I am seated and not move around to sit with other people. In general, promoting this environment and leading by example will in effect have a positive impact on the group. In my previous journal from week one, I wrote about how I try to include pupils who have low confidence in group discussions or activities with other more confident members of the class. In the same way, I also like to try and mix motivated pupils with those who may be struggling to find motivation.
In an attempt to understand motivation and what motivates I have considered Abraham Maslow’s (1987) Hierarchy of Needs in which he describes a series of stages towards achieving ones potential or ‘self-actualisation’. The stages are set as a pyramid with the most basic human need at the base and self-actualisation at the top.
The base describes physiology which incorporates basic needs such as food and sleep begging the question, ‘Are the students tired or hungry?’ Safety describes the