Students Today

When I was at school watching a movie at the end of term was a real treat. It was fun watching a movie with the class. I still remember it today. Having said that, students today don’t really watch a movie if you put one on. 

I will put on a movie, scan the room and see only a few people are actually watching it. It’s not special anymore. They can watch a movie at recess on their phone so it’s not special. Plus they watch movies or series well above the suggested rating for their age. So putting on a PG movie is lame to them as they will be watching MA15+.

Students have changed since you went to school. Technology has improved, communication has evolved, parenting is different and students today have seen more about the world than you had by the time you were 25 years old. This doesn’t mean they understand it all, but they have seen it.

A few weeks ago I watched a small group of year 7 students mimic teachers and how they talk. It was actually pretty funny. It got me thinking. Students know the traditional teacher discipline talk. They have seen it and heard it all before and that’s why we have to change the way we teach.

Students don’t respond to the direct, bossy teacher. You need to develop trust and respect before students will do anything. I am not saying you have to be a laid-back teacher. There are just much easier ways to gain their attention than being mean all the time. 

There is no reason why you need to buttheads with students. It will drain you of energy and I have found it's not worth it for our own mental health. 

This is how I build genuine rapport with students today:

- Know their name

- Know their hobby

- I’m calm, use manners and give them respect no matter the behaviour.

- I talk to them how I usually talk (minus the swearing) and don’t put on ‘teacher talk’.

- Show and talk about my family.

- Be positive in your body language, tone and words.

- Shake hands or fist bump students. (where appropriate) 

- Follow up on previous conversations. Eg. if they told you they are playing a soccer game on the weekend ask them how it went the next time you see them.

- Remember the 'problem student usually is the student with problems' - so be nice always.