The Management of Landmark College, Ikorodu in conjunction with X-GEE Consulting, Lagos organised training for teachers in the effective ways of teaching 21st-century students.
The two-day training, which was held on the college premises began with a comprehensive review of the adopted blended curriculum in the college: an integration of foreign and national curriculums.
In his opening address, the college Chairman and CEO, Mr Isiaka Oyebamiji, implored the teachers to make the best of the training in their professional practise, stressing that the training was aimed at further improving teachers’ pedagogical skills.
“We have come together to review our delivery methods in the classrooms and identify areas that need further improvement.
“I want to implore everyone to take this training seriously,” the chairman said.
He also reminded the teachers how valuable their services are. He stressed that that services being provided connects with humanity.
While urging the teachers not to make promise they cannot fulfil, the chairman charges them to deliver in commensurate to the promises.
He stated further that “To deliver quality services, a teacher must take care of their physical self, spiritual self, intellectual self, social self and emotional self.”
The first session of the training reviewed the college curriculum. Teachers were partitioned into groups to discuss the benefits and challenges of a blended curriculum.
It was an interactive session as representatives of each group itemized the components of the curriculum as well as its challenges.
The second session explored adolescent psychology, looking at how the period of adolescence affects students.
The Chief Consultant at X-GEE Consulting, Mr Babatunde Kolade, tutored the gathering on the characteristics of the period, emphasizing the reasons why teachers need to acclimatize themselves with adolescent psychology.
According to Mr Kolade, adolescence is a period of transition, rapid change, demand for privacy and emotional changes.
The consultant further noted that adolescence is characterized by some social behavioural traits as a result of hormones from the body, which are escalated by the environment.
Explaining further, Mr Kolade stated to successfully teach students in this century, teachers must pay attention to some indisputable facts.
“Every teacher must understand that students are mostly influenced by peer groups, cultural background search for identity. The students seek independence and new experience,” he said.
“What the students need is understanding. A professional teacher needs to understand them before he or she can help in any way. So, a teacher must be calm enough and listen to the students to assist them.
“The students battle hidden challenges triggered by some emotional trauma. They always look for someone to confide in. This is the reason teachers are not expected to judge. The listening skill of the teachers plays a vital role,” the consultant stated.
He stated further that when an issue is reported, it must be handled professionally. He warned teachers against escalating the challenges.
“Teachers must not speak harshly or condemn the students,” Mr Kolade stated.
Also speaking, the college Principal, Mr Sanni, J.A, maintained that students can be perfectly managed through information management.
“It is unprofessional of teachers to speak loosely. Teachers should maintain decency and quantify what they say. They need to be conscious of their environment if the need arises for them to talk,” the principal stated.
Mr Sanni added that when a case of abuse is reported, Teachers should never ignore it.
“Teachers should understand that these students lack the emotional capacity to handle their challenges.
“It is important we make the school a safer environment for the students,” he added.
According to the school counsellor, Mrs Odion, C.B, students who report abuse or a challenge should be embraced and appreciated.
“When an issue is reported, the student must be well appreciated,” the counsellor noted.
She stated further, “An issue is best handled in form of questions for a record purpose.
“Through the questioning method, the student concerned will answer the questions asked based on the nature of the issue reported.”
She added that on no account should a teacher singlehandedly handle an issue without a witness.
The training ended with reports from the APEN conference attended by three staff who represented the College at the event.
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The first entrance examination into Landmark College, Ikorodu will hold on March 25, 2023.
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