Reflection #10 EDF1005

Samantha Clarke
Reflection #10 EDF1005
The teacher as the gatekeeper
The teacher as the gate keeper signifies control. The teacher as the gatekeeper signifies order. The teacher as the gatekeeper signifies permission. As I reflect on my years in school, I remember where the teacher was the one in charge of what I was to learn that day. She would often tell the class when to take their books out and what and when to write. She would also instruct us on when to take small rest; when to speak and when to do just about everything. As I read the book Teacher School and Society I can identify with what the author is saying. Teacher initiate about 85% of the question in the class, I can also identify with much of the time wasting or business of the teacher.
In the teaching profession there has been very good strategies but there are also some loop holes. In the case where much time is spent by the teacher being busy taking care of handing out books or whatever the case may be; there need to be more planning as to what the students should be doing while this is taking place. It is important that students spent their time in school productively as this can lead to idleness or the loss of interest in school. Students should be given much time to interact and develop independence in learning. Even though teachers are acting in the best interest of the student it is important for them to recognize these miniature flaws. While they are often over looked they are often crucial and detrimental to some student’s ability.
The teacher as the gatekeeper are often time give the opportunity to make decisions based on assumption about students learning pattern. This is often time done without the consideration that their might me students with different learning styles. As a result students may be directed to a particular path at an early stage without getting the chance to make such precious decision for themselves. I remember when I was going to school they had a bright class and a dunce class. These children were seen as students who cannot learn and often time much attention was not given to them. They were some time mocked by other students about been in a dunce class. As a result of this students can think less of themselves and in the long run develop low self-esteem.