Dubai - Teaching no longer job which requires textbook translation. Are teachers in UAE adapting to this change?
Published: Sun 7 May 2017, 7:34 PM
Last updated: Sun 7 May 2017, 9:54 PM
There is no doubt the role of the teacher is changing more rapidly than ever. This is no longer a job which simply requires textbook translation, but how are the teachers of today adapting to this change?
Worldwide education reform has placed a huge demand on teachers, and as such, has seen their role alter hugely from what we once deemed traditional. As a result it has seen many leave the profession due to the increased pressure and demands on their time. But in a country where expatriate teachers are knocking on the doors of the UAE schools for jobs, how are the current alumni keeping pace in an ever-changing and innovative sector?
Brendon Fulton, principal at Dubai British School, told Khaleej Times that a competitive market is very telling when it comes to deciphering average educators from excellent educators.
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On Saturday, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) launched the 'Together We Teach' initiative. It's all about expressing gratitude and appreciation for your teachers in Dubai's schools. So if your teacher says or does something that inspires you, why not tweet about it using the #Together_We_Teach hashtag?
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"The focus on generic learning skills and moral and social development has drawn into sharp contrast the difference between being able to teach a curriculum, and being able to develop effective, reflective and empathetic learners - ensuring that students are able to make excellent progress regardless of the curriculum."
And he said that move in international schools is extremely liberating for "excellent teachers".
"However, many teachers who are stuck in the more traditional framework will find the changes challenging."
With a host of new social challenges and demands towards education and teachers, Fulton said some of the most significant challenges for teachers are harnessing transferrable learning skills.
"Students today have unprecedented access to information and are connected globally; thus the challenge is to harness these benefits by teaching students how to reflect on information, think critically and look for innovative solutions."
But when it comes to the ideal teacher in the 21st century, he said a core tradition still stands.
"The ideal teacher is one who holds student engagement at the heart of his/her responsibility. The quote by Maya Angelou is highly apt here: 'I've learned that people will forget what you've said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel'."
For Vincent Burden, teacher at Greenfield Community School, the ever-changing initiatives that teachers are required to grasp can sometimes come thick and fast. But although that can be daunting, it is up to the individual to take the challenge on - otherwise they won't survive in the industry.
"In these busy times, it is a challenge to manage our time effectively whilst continuing to perform to the standards we expect of ourselves. This is when we rely on the help and support of colleagues and I'm very fortunate to have a learning assistant who can read my mind and intentions when I'm most at need."
In the UAE where innovation is a key driver in the education sector, Burden said it's exciting to be able to "tap into the innovative minds of the younger population" as teachers.
"Whilst many believe that success breeds success; I believe innovation inspires success. Innovation is the art to think and approach things differently and I think that all teachers are making connections in a host of ways that will ultimately connect the minds of this nation. "
And hooking these minds is the key for all teachers going forward, he said.
Educational trends in the UAE
As a former teacher himself, Garrett O'Dowd, founder of educational recruitment company Teach and Explore, speaks to Khaleej Times about educations trends in the UAE.
What has been the biggest change in the UAE education system recently?
Education systems are always evolving and growing. With reference to the UAE there has been a real focus on innovation. Many believe that innovation in education is improving pedagogy so that student learning is conceptually understood, explored and applied with action. Concept based learning is essential to developing innovation in our students and fostering 21st century skills. The 'buzz phrase' currently used in education is that we are educating students for jobs that no longer exist. This said, students need to be equipped with skills to be lifelong learners and not knowledge banks of facts.
How has this impacted the teacher?
Teachers have to be more innovative than ever before, differentiating their lessons to accommodate many different styles of learning, often without any training and/or support. They are under a lot of pressure to perform. They need to put an emphasis on process of learning rather than product, and teach skills that are applicable to real world situations. A teacher that can create a lesson that puts students under pressure to work together and collaborate to find real answers to a real world problem has far more impact on learning than a teacher that uses textbooks and worksheets.
As a recruiter, what teacher perception trends have you witnessed?
The biggest concerns for teachers are tenure. Teachers need secure futures and if they reach targets and benchmarks set by their schools they need to feel that they are wanted and secure for doing a good job. Teachers nowadays want and crave support and training. But many schools, if they have profit as their main target, will focus on the wants and needs of parents and bill payers rather than the teachers. Schools are now looking for teachers who are adaptable and flexible.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
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