Why teachers should listen more to their pupils

Blogger

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Last week, I introduced our pupils to St Aidan of the Picnic Tables – and there was actually a serious point to this newly coined saint.

Custom byline text:

Sean McPartlin

Custom Disqus identifier:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/bloggers/sean-mcpartlin/why-teachers-should-listen-more-to-their-pupils-1.1126195

The real Aidan was a 7th century Irish monk on Lindisfarne who was responsible for bringing Christianity to large parts of Northumbria and the Scottish lowlands. He is patron of one of the houses in our school because he represents the successful integration of the incomer, reflecting the numbers of pupils we teach from furth of Scotland, or indeed the British Isles.

And the picnic tables? Well, Aidan’s skill was not to preach at people but to listen to them; though he had times of solitude, he was also a social person; he gained converts to his faith through empathy and example, rather than argument and conflict, and this too had a resonance for us.Two initiatives we’ve progressed in the past couple of years have been Grounds for Learning and the Learning Rounds.In the former, pupils and staff have worked with architects and landscapers to map out improvements to the school grounds -- for social and educational benefit. Taken seriously by the professionals, the pupils’ suggestions have been both thoughtful and innovative...and frequently so obvious that the adults had entirely overlooked the possibilities!One of the first tangible results has been the provision of seats and picnic tables around the campus. The pupils pointed out that, though benches had been provided originally, they all faced the same way, and when people sit and want to talk, they prefer to face each other.So now, for social chitchat, packed lunches and outdoor learning, we have a new resource. Pupils, having been listened to, and having been taken seriously, after Aidan’s style, now have additional useful facilities around the school. The picnic tables and benches, with pupils facing each other, promote listening and understanding.Similarly, our Learning Rounds consist of teams of teachers, education officers and pupils who observe learning in classrooms and share their findings. Staff are confident that the learning rather than the teaching is being observed in the class and the information recorded and shared is of the most useful type of professional development.When we first invited some P7 pupils to be part of this team at "the big school", there were some who doubted the value of what would be "childish" responses. In fact, the P7s provided some of the most cogent and useful comment, and showed a talent for insight and straight speaking. When they were given a voice they used it well, and when we listened to them, we learned.So, who’d have thought it -- St Aidan and his "picnic table" approach to people, listening, empathising, taking on board their fears or dreams, can be more successful than a more gung ho, directive style. Staff have listened, and, for example, are now encouraged to teach outdoors where appropriate, and pupils react positively.Of course, listening to pupils can be difficult; they are often more forthright than adults, and sometimes you need patience to divine the connection between the topic and their comments. But it is rewarding -- and instructional.I’d recommend it to those teachers who like living "dangerously" -- because, of course, there’s always a chance you mightn’t like what they say or what you hear.But I think teachers are big enough to take that…………

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Why teachers should listen more to their pupils

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED