Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Mindfulness and Teachers

Here's some food for thought for the readers - What is the biggest challenge for teachers today? Had the same question been asked about a decade and a half ago, the answers would have been simple and easy i.e more resources, tools for teaching, information on best practices in teaching and better informed learners. Come 21st century and all the above mentioned challenges have vanished. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has not only addressed the old issues that used to plague education and in particular teaching but also opened new vistas for innovation and creativity. All this has redefined the teaching-learning process and most importantly, the role of the teacher. Today, the biggest challenge for teachers is not any of the ones mentioned above but "FOCUS" i.e. an ability to put the entire attention on the task at hand. In this environment of information overload and availability of plenty, multi-tasking has become the mantra for teachers but this mantra has only resulted in becoming more susceptible to distraction and in developing shorter “attention span.”

With a plethora of tasks to accomplish ranging from preparing lesson, delivering lessons (teaching), managing classrooms and learners, performing administrative duties and collaborating with peers, teachers are expected to excel in all. With expectations set so high for them, teachers resort to operate with an unconscious “divided-attention” approach to manage this multi-tasking. The end result of this approach is
  • much action but little accomplishment
  • more quantity (in terms of multiple unfinished tasks) and less quality
  • less control over self and the process of teaching-learning
Given that a teacher impacts, influences and prepares an entire generation of learners, the above outcomes do not help positively grow the nation and society and therefore a need to equip teachers with tool(s) that help them combat the challenges posed to effective teaching and develops in them a focused approach towards teaching. "Mindfulness" is that simple tool which prepares the teachers to remain balanced and focused. Simply defined, mindfulness is all about "being fully present in the moment." Let’s explore Mindfulness a bit more in context of teachers and teaching

Why is Mindfulness important?
  • Getting specific about the need for mindfulness, the following are some of the key reasons that highlights the importance of Mindfulness
  • Develop focus and centeredness in teachers which is so important in ensuring that there is no digression from the main process of teaching-learning.
  • Enable teachers to get into the “flow” or “momentum” which is crucial for an effective and impactful teaching
  • Helps create balance by developing skills like patience, calmness and acceptance  
  • Makes teachers more creative and innovative by building up immersive approach
  • Results in quality teaching as the teachers spend desirable time on a topic/ lesson 
How can teachers practice Mindfulness?

The key to success is “Start Small” and then through practice get better at it (Mindfulness). Some simple ways are

  • Practice connecting with your breathing. Be aware of your breathing, practice deep breathing and try to feel it happening inside your body. 
  • Practice being non-judgemental with students whether dealing with learning based or behavior based issue. Accepting the situation as it is and not forming opinions about anything or anyone will be helpful
  • Align your teaching with your purpose and goal in life. This will make you more passionate about your teaching and put you in flow and momentum while delivering lessons or interacting with learners
  • Focus on delivering a life-long learning to the learners by building activities and approaches that encourage critical thinking and related skills in the learners
  • Be more emotionally aware to understand self. This will help identify your tipping point and trigger point
  • Prioritise things to put energy in the most important things first
The subject/ topic of Mindfulness is very vast and broad. I have just mentioned few very basic ideas for educators to get started with Mindfulness in their teaching.

Closing this post with an interesting article for teachers

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