This EdTech Tool Will Help You Build Authentic Relationships
The key to effective teaching and learning.
Many schools adopting the 1:1 approach are unfortunately focusing on the wrong "1" - the device. This predicament is a significant concern, as prioritizing what we teach - or what we use to teach - over who we teach can potentially divert us from education’s fundamental purpose.
The significance of cultivating genuine relationships, particularly within the school milieu, cannot be overstated. Over the years, multiple studies have underscored the profound impact that such relationships yield, not only for students but also for educators and administrators.
In this edition of The Value Junction, you’ll learn:
3 reasons why building authentic relationships is important
3 ways you can use one powerful edtech tool to build them
(This issue was inspired by Thomas C. Murray’s Personal and Authentic. Great book. You should read it.)
A Case for Cultivating Genuine Bonds
Education, in many parts of the world, requires a positive transformation. Authentic relationships stand as a cornerstone of this transformation, fostering an environment in which teachers serve as mentors, students actively engage, and administrators adeptly guide. These connections extend beyond the confines of the classroom, seamlessly bridging both physical and virtual spaces. Their impact resonates deeply, enhancing the richness and significance of the educational journey. Here are 3 reasons why you should build authentic bonds in the school milieu;
1. Igniting the Flame of Learning through Relationships
The vitality of students feeling acknowledged and supported cannot be emphasized enough. Small gestures, such as teachers familiarizing themselves with students’ names, contribute to cultivating a sense of belonging. Collaborative interactions among peers bolster social skills and bestow purpose upon scholastic endeavours.
2. Trust as the Cornerstone of Progress
Creating an environment where students can take risks and fully realize their potential hinges on them feeling secure amongst their peers and educators. Yet, breaches in trust can arise from instances of discrimination or bullying. Strong teacher-student relationships not only exemplify constructive interactions but also empower students to cultivate self-confidence and surmount adversities.
3. Instilling Crucial Life Lessons through Relationships
Thriving within diverse social contexts demands a mastery of vital skills, including empathy, communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration. These proficiencies are integral for both careers and relationships. Immersive edtech tools, such as multiplayer games and simulations, immerse students within virtual scenarios that necessitate the practice of these skills for success.
How this edtech tool can help you do this
Quizizz serves as a versatile platform allowing educators to devise interactive quizzes and surveys for students to engage with through devices, while the gamification elements spur friendly interaction. Noteworthy features contributing to genuine connections include:
Gamified Learning Experience: Quizizz expertly infuses enjoyment into learning. What better means to engage students than transforming learning into a captivating game? Multiple studies, such as this one by Clever, have shown that gamified learning experiences significantly increase student performance. Every aspect of Quizizz, from its design to its colour palette, music, avatars, and font selections, evokes a gaming ambience
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Avatar Customization: Personalized avatars and fun names enable creative self-expression. Students take pride in seeing their customized character appear on game leaderboards. The ability to represent their identity deepens investment and connections
Memes: Who doesn’t like a good laugh? Hilarious reaction memes during questions provide entertainment and laughs between classmates. Research shows that shared humour and inside jokes build social cohesion. The memes become mental bookmarks of the fun had learning together
Quizizz uses AI to generate a meme based on the previous question. But you must make sure you activate the ‘memes’ option just under where you write your name before starting the quiz.
In a nutshell
I once engaged in a spirited debate with an educator on whether moral education should be taught in school. His stance was resolute: such teachings should remain the domain of parents. I, however, posed a counterargument: what of those who are dealt an unfortunate hand with bad or absent parents? What of those trapped within toxic and abusive households?
For these students, the school offers more than an institution; it serves as a sanctuary, a refuge from the hardships of life. Within its walls, they find solace, and among its educators, they discover guiding figures. Their peers become surrogate siblings. In this light, the school transcends brick and mortar; it becomes a community forged by human relationships, an intricate tapestry woven to uplift student potential.
As educators, administrators, and students, we must engrain this perspective within our consciousness: schools are far more than mere structures. They are living communities, interconnected by human ties that hold the potential to uplift and transform lives.
The compassionate rapport between teachers and students serves as the bedrock of engagement, emotional well-being, and academic advancement. It's a potent force that carries students beyond their potential, nudging them towards growth that might have seemed unattainable otherwise.
Thank you so much for reading. I hope you learned something new and useful. Before you go:
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