EFFECTIVE WAYS TO TEACH “GEN Z” STUDENTS
DESIREE D. SANTOS
Nowadays, societies and culture are constantly changing with the advent of technology computers, gadgets and others. Teachers should be ready to face the challenges brought by modernization. Learners are also changing due to the influence and impact of modernization to their lives. These Gen Z students expect and need something new every day from their teachers.
Gen Z students get bored because they need change. Sometimes teachers teach the same way every day and this gets way too monotonous. I think it is important for teachers to vary instruction by using group work, individual work, computer time, educational games, etc.
The classroom setting today is different from the traditional to modern way of teaching. Teachers used to change the approaches and strategies for them to achieve meaningful learning experiences to their learners. There are some ways which teachers can be utilized to teach students effectively and these are the following:
First is by using the Power Points wisely. Use them as a guide instead of a word-for-word of what you're going to say.
Second is by using relatable examples. Show funny (not too lengthy) videos that somehow correlate with the subject material, and make the information more memorable for your students.
Third, make class enjoyable. Throw around a ball for students to answer questions, or have a little friendly competition.
Fourth, even if you're having a bad day, try to be positive. Your attitude, whether it is unenthusiastic or constructive, tends to rub off on your students.
Fifth, engage all your students. Even if only one student is raising their hand, try to call on other people, who may not have their hand up, to answer questions. If they do not get the answer correct, try to guide them towards the correct answer instead of just saying, "No," and skipping to another child.
Sixth, change up the outline of the class. Do fun activities so that students have something to look forward to in class.
Seventh, speak to the students about the topic. Try to stay away from making the students read about the topic because 99 percent will just skim the material and say that they read it.
Eighth, divide the class and assign group activities. Collaborative learning and differentiated instructions can be a great help to inculcate an enjoyable and life-long learning experiences among students.
Ninth, try to incorporate students’ interests. Mostly students like to make their outputs using the computer apps. It will be more interesting for them doing performance outputs such as advocacy campaigns on their facebook accounts, making posters, brochures thru the use of Microsoft publisher, and doing a research in different educational websites and Ebooks.
Tenth, only give homework when absolutely necessary. Unless the homework is a fun activity, most students will try to get it done and over with as fast as possible, even if it means doing in incorrectly.
Doing homework incorrectly is worse than not doing the homework at all because when students put false information on homework, it becomes engraved in their knowledge.
“Teacher is the one who brings change in the society.” It is a profession that meets all the needs of the personification of life. It requires commitment and devotion, one must be ready to sacrifice their time, energy, family, entertainment and even ready to walk extra mile to make student community for the better future. Being a teacher, you must make every student to understand and create in them awareness of flexibility which is an important quality that everyone should aware of.
-oOoThe author is Teacher III of Del Carmen National High School