Dispositions

Can dispositions be taught in the end? What would be your reccomendation for enhancing the dispositions of and teachers?

Disposition according to http://www.dictionary.com/ means; the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude: a girl with a pleasant disposition. With this definition in mind, we go back to the question, can dispositions be taught in the end? From my standpoint, they cannot be taught. Dispositions are a very malleable subject simply because over time and through experience, they can be enhanced and changed. If an instructor were to set up their curriculum to enhance someones disposition, wouldn't this be teaching a disposition? In a way, a disposition can and cannot be taught. I feel that dispositions aren't actually taught but students are exposed to situations that shape their disposition. One way in which teachers today could enhance their dispositions is simply by connecting with their students on a more personal level. What I mean by this is gaining an understanding of why the student is the way he/she is or acts the way they do. If teachers today could actually take the time to get to know their students and build a relationship, I feel that students would have a better incentive to excel in their learning. This, ultimately, would transform ones disposition as a teacher and ultimately make him/her a better educator in the long-run.

Collaborativeness

Collaborativeness derives from the word collaborate; to work together toward a common goal. More specifically; an academic or intellectual endeavor. I feel that Collaborativeness is directly related towards education and especially towards the ones educating; teachers. Collaboration is much needed in schools not just between teachers but students as well. When everyone collaborates the productivity increases exponentially. The reason for this is very simple; everyone is on the same page. When everyone does what is best for them self and then the common good of everyone else in order to attain a certain goal; we like to call this "Collaborativeness." The best example of this is any kind of sports team. If everyone works together towards a common goal, usually that team wins. Let's say though one player is out for them self. The collaborate effort by the team no longer plays a factor simply because one person isn't doing what everyone else is nor do they have the same goals. In the school setting, when teachers are on the same page as students, parents, administrator, and co-workers; the "team" wins.  When teachers and students alike understand each others expectations of each other, you have not only set the student but yourself as the teacher up for success. This is the key aspect of any team or group; when everyone knows their expectations and the expectations of the group, they will be highly productive compared to the team that has no concept of collaboration.

Efficacy

Being a confident teacher is always a good thing. Being self-aware is also a very good skill to master simply because you are able to easily recognize when you're doing something right and also when you're doing something wrong. This skill is crucial when teaching because if you realize you're doing something that works then keep doing it and when you're doing something wrong and recognize it, you stop. Thus becoming an efficient teacher which goes hand in hand with having good work ethic. I feel that a teacher with good work ethic uses his/her class time very wisely and effectively. They will never be doing a lesson "on the fly," nor will they have unstructered time. This is very crucial especially with younger aged students. Finally persistence is a great quality to have by itself, but with patience it will be highly effective. With this combination, you'll be able to keep hammering home key points or get after a student who doesn't do their homework. Through your persistence you'll get the students to accomplish what you want them too. The best way to learn and perfect these skills is simply through practice, patience, and persistance. With these skills, you will boost your efficacy level and be a great teacher.

Inventiveness

Creativity is something that really can't be taught. It is a natural talent and gift. So the teaching aspect of creativity is a very difficult one. An approach that could be used is by simply recognizing a students creativity and embracing it. Say a child draws something and calls it a cat. It may not even be close to looking like a cat but instead of telling them that they're wrong you embrace it and tell them that it's a wonderful looking cat. This enhances their authentic creativity. Their imagination is flowing uninterrupted and this is where their creativity stems from. Another way is simply by reading them books. Have your students listen and follow along, and then have them draw a picture about the story. This will stimulate their creativity. Creativity is becoming one of the most crucial skills. Why? Because it is something you cannot outsource. For example; you can outsource a computer programmer but can you do the same to a musician or an athlete? This are the types of careers that require creativity, without it, the 21st century will be a very dull time.

Reflectiveness

Most students and teachers find it very difficult to reflect for many reasons. One may be the fact that in this fast paced world, no one has any time to actually slow down and take the time too reflect. Another reason, maybe the fact that many kids have a hard time finding any value in doing this. Therefore, they probably won't. I suppose teachers would consider reflection the heart of the teaching process simply because if a student is reflecting on something, that means they probably learned something. This is an interesting concept, but I don't really believe in it. I don't honestly think you gauge how much a student has learned simply by reflection. Also, I don't find reflections a very good way of learning to begin with. I personally don't reflect that often, but when I do it's usually at night, right before bed.

Passion

Throughout High School, we had a Choir director who was very enthusiastic and passionate. I now aspire to be like him in many ways as a future choir director. They way he approached teaching was very effective because students understood why he was doing what he was doing. Because of his enthusiasm and passion, we were a much better choir. He brought out the very best in all of his students because of his passion. He would go out of his way to make a student better, or to have them understand what was going on. He was a very inclusive director and always went above and beyond to make everything as good as it could possibly be. I never really had a subject that I was overly enthused about that the teacher wasn't as well. So I guess I'm lucky in that regard.

Authenticity

Authenticity can be a great asset to have as a teacher simply because its relatible. Having a teacher who is real with you and very genuine, gives you the feeling as a student, that they actually care about your success. On the other hand, when you have a teacher who seems "fake," it almost the opposite affect. When you're not authentic with your students, you're putting on "mask," and not really letting them get to know you, and with that, you really don't get to know them. Obviously there need to be some boundaries and what not. This can be gauged really by age group, class size, and maybe just figuring out where everyone stands. It is usually very easy to tell when a teacher is not being authentic. There is just a very awkward aire when you converse with them. When a teacher is trying to be authentic when they're really not, it can be completely demoralizing for a student. They invest sense in someone and then they turn out to not even be "real." This can be very tough on someone who is not very secure to begin with. Overall, being authentic can be very beneficial and at the same time, very damaging. It all depends on how you control it and use it.