The Voices that Go Unheard

As Wills (2015) stated in the article, creating good ideas is part of a journey, which I believe makes the destination sweeter. Meaningful involvement does involve mindfulness in the learners, which is essentially in order to encourage creativity and successful learning environments but I would like to mention the importance of the voice of learners because that is something that goes unheard of and it's something that has been close my heart this week due to the protests.

It is necessary for teachers to give their learners a voice in the classroom. Kids are not given enough opportunity to speak out, and therefore learn to keep quiet. Teachers should be asking their learners questions because these kids are clever, highly intellectual beings with the desire to learn but effective learning only takes place when interaction and involvement of the learners occur. I think that is also the difference between learning online and by learning in a classroom. People learn best if they are able to relate, and to speak up. This is the way in which our minds are organised. We need visual representations, as well as various 'memories' in order to effectively engage and learn. Kids just want to be heard and acknowledged and if teachers give them the opportunity, they will be amazed at how incredible these young minds operate. Kids are not "blank slates" but individuals who remember and understand similar things in different ways, according to how they are best able to engage and learn. Life is not always going to be comfortable, so allow the learners to engage in difficult discussions and worldly issues. Allow them to debate but respect each others views. Get them to engage and ask questions because what does this allow? This allows room for the development of critical thinking and that is what teachers should strive for. Not to read out the curriculum to the learners but to really take the time and effort to get to know the learners and challenge them. Allow them to challenge themselves and you will bear witness to their growth into mature adults who are able to think and argue critically about specific issues.

How do teachers encourage their learners to do this? By treating them like they are special, unique, valued and appreciated for who they are. Learners need to feel worthy in order to achieve success, so why not facilitate and encourage self-efficacy and self-confidence? Teach them more than what is expected of you-go beyond the curriculum and see into their souls. That is what the core of teaching is about. It's about how to cope in life, how to be successful so that the metaphorical train of life doesn't drive over you. Pay attention to your learners and allow them to ask questions and to get involved because teaching is about experience, and you want your classroom to a place of experiential learning, where minds can be challenged and molded so that when the learner leaves your class to enter the world, he or she is fully equipped with the most important skill to avoid being driven over by the train called life, and that is the ability to think critically. Thinking critically involves asking questions, respecting the views of others but it also involves morals, and that is something to be valued because by creating your own voice, you know who you are and what you stand for.