I have struggled to decide how I would develop my teaching methods as I move closer to my goal of having my own classroom one day. I have learned of many methods that would be effective in teaching but I am not sure what one exactly will work best for me. I have been studying the three approaches of executive, liberationist, and facilitator over the course of this semester. I find that I would in all reality apply all three approaches in my teaching approach at one time or another depending on the requirements of the curriculum and the students at that time.
I have been considering what it means to me to be a liberationist. To me, a liberationist is about liberating the mind, using imagination and creativity to develop further knowledge in myself and my students, and to create a sense of wonder and understanding. The liberationist approach aids one in acquiring skills of thinking, deliberation, imagination, and the knowledge to search and investigate for greater understanding for oneself. This type of approach is a great way to push for higher efficacy of achievement and thought. The teacher would present the material and the students would then work to reach greater understanding of that material.
There are sure to be some difficulties in using this approach with students. First, it does not focus on the student's life experiences, instead, there is focus on the depth and breadth of the student's learning. It is up to the teacher to help the student become informed and how to make informed decisions based on the material that they have learned from. Democracy must be taught along with other core instruction. The liberationist approach relies on the teacher and educational material to teach the students the necessary skills to deal with difficulties and how to problem solve so that they can become model citizens. This can be a lot of pressure on a teacher who is not organized and ready for such learning. The teacher must keep himself/herself well educated and up on current needs of the students and the world around them in order to successfully aid the students in reaching their goal.
There is some benefits that come from using this approach. The biggest benefit is that it will require deeper thinking skills from the student and the teacher.Often students will work in groups to help facilitate deeper learning, understanding, creativity, and conformity with what is real and true in the world around. This approach also leans toward the understanding that there is human goodness in everyone.
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