10 Ways Teachers Teach More than Content Information

Recently, a candidate for public office suggested that schools could save money and become more efficient by replacing teachers with videos.  Experts who are excellent lecturers would be videotaped presenting important content information.  The videos could then be shown to large groups of students at a small cost.

This plan presumes that teaching is mostly about giving students information.  There is a perception that teachers stand in front of a class and lecture while students passively receive information. While this may be true in some cases, in most classrooms today students are actively involved. They apply learning by working on projects.  They test theories and create hypothesis as they learn to generate new knowledge.  They read first person accounts and other primary sources in order to learn how people think, to recognize patterns and to understand the past.

It is true, that if disseminating information is the key objective, then taping experts presenting  information and using it over and over again is a good strategy.  What’s missing in this equation is that teachers do many valuable things in addition to presenting information.

Here are 10 things teachers teach or do that go beyond giving students information:

Teachers know students well.  They know when to push them and when to encourage them.

Teachers guide students, often one-on-one or in small groups, as they apply their learning to real world projects and products.

Teachers teach critical thinking by asking questions and guiding discussions.

Teachers help students to recognize their individual strengths and areas for growth.

Teachers foster social interactions, teaching students how to work well with others.

Teachers teach social skills such as manners and patience.

Teachers model respect for all people, no matter their culture, gender, race, or abilities.

Teachers work with parents, sharing information and providing information about student progress.

Teachers help students work with emerging technologies.

Teachers teach students to be responsible by assigning tasks and homework, and by having high expectations for student work and conduct.

We are sure there are many more things we could add to this list.  What do you do besides deliver content information?  We would love to hear in the comments below.