Which hat do you have on today?

1. Which hat do you have on today?

2. Coping with Contextual Factors in the Teaching and Learning Environment Presented by : Mr K. Gokar Mr P. Reddy Miss N. Naidoo Miss V. Singh Mrs M. Kalicharan Mrs P. Dhaver

3. Contextual Factors • Introduction • Teachers Attitudes and Beliefs • Class Size • Language • Teachers Access to Resources • Discipline • Dealing with Behavioural Problems • Tips for Teachers • Conclusion

4. Introduction What are the Contextual Factors ? • Lack of furniture • Toilets • Water • Fencing • Access to Library Books • Internet • Safety • Lights

5. Discipline • Language • Resources • Class size • Attitudes of Learners • Attitudes of Teachers • Interference by Outsiders

6. Other Factors already Discussed • Discipline – Alternative : SDG • Developing Teaching Skills : KS • Time Management : KH

7. Teacher Attitudes Suggestions to Create a Positive Environment : • Think about your approach • Visualize possible challenges • Make your expectations clear from the beginning • Model positive behaviour • Encourage, encourage, encourage • Show respect • Be consistent • Keep students busy and challenged • Listen to learners suggestions

8. Characteristics of Effective Teachers • Has positive expectations for student success • Possess excellent classroom management skills • Designs effective lesson plans

9. Class Size Does class size matter ? • Present ratio 1:35 in Secondary Schools

10. Benefits of Smaller Classes • Improves teacher morale • Improved teacher retention • Increased teacher-student contact • More appreciation for one another • Easier to identify and resolve potential disciplinary problems • Reduced stress

11. Disadvantages of Larger Classes • Teacher overload • More time devoted to classroom management • Limitations on teacher-learner relationships • Concentrate on mechanics rather than style and content

12. Language • Bhota • Dumela • Sawubona • Hallo Sawubona = Hallo Unjani = How are you ? Ngisaphila = I am well Ngiyabonga = Dankie Hamba kahle = Totsiens

13. Spoken Languages in South Africa What is the most widely spoken Language in South Africa ? • isiZulu – spoken by 10 million S.A • Xhosa – 8 million S.A • Afrikaans – 6 million S.A • English – 3.5 million S.A

14. Access to Resources Educators you are the most important RESOURCE !! We should be glad that the Almighty doesn’t give us everything we ask for !

15. Identifying and Resolving Difficult Behaviours in the Classroom • Rambling • Shyness • Talkative • Sharpshooting • Heckling/Arguing • Grand standing • Over Hostility • Griping • Side Conversations

16. Finding Practical Solutions • Nip it in the bud • Use classroom management techniques • Don’t belittle learners • Admit to being negative and change

17. Feel good about yourself.Not everyone is a Teacher • Be passionate about education • Do your best • Listen, question and respond to each learner • Be flexible. Use your experiences • Be stylish • Use humour • Strong leadership : support • Teamwork • Have fun

18. Conclusion Contextual Factors do Affect Learning and Teaching !! “I have come to a frightening conclusion. I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humour, hurt or heal. In all situations it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or dehumanized.”