Teachers told to be patient with students

Hyderabad: Teaching is a divine responsibility to guide and enlighten. A teacher with the right skills inspires and influences entire student lives. They are instruments who can ignite powerful thoughts in students, helping them unleash their true potential' said Prof V V Bhanoji Rao, Governing Body Member, GITAM, on Thursday.

He interacted with GITAM (Deemed-to-be University), Hyderabad faculty on a topic 'Teacher Alone Makes the Difference'. Three decades of teaching and research at the National University of Singapore (NUS); and six years of research and operational assignments at the World Bank, Washington DC, USA and Jakarta, Indonesia the veteran narrated his personal experiences at School, University and Job role levels.

Teachers should exercise patience along with a deep sense of care and kindness towards their wards. 'You as an empathetic teacher will win over the hearts of your students by demonstrating sensitivity, especially during student rifts, he advised. Your oratory skills coupled with a strong understanding of the subject matter will attract the attention of your students, paving the way for a high level of concentration towards the topic you are discussing', he said.

Effective teachers will ensure that their students receive the best education from them, he opined. He said three mantras to an effective teaching that, the teacher have to love teaching, love the subject and love the students. To be an effective teacher, you should be able to motivate and support students so that they are well-equipped to deal with any challenges life throws at them both academically and otherwise, Prof Bhanoji suggested.

Effective time management, precise narrative skills are vital for providing quality education to students while also meeting the specific learning needs of each student, he said. Good teaching is open to change: it involves constantly trying to find out what the effects of instruction are on learning, and modifying the instruction in the light of the evidence collected, Dr Bhanoji concluded. He responded spontaneously to the queries raised by the faculty.

Earlier, Prof N Siva Prasad, Pro Vice-Chancellor, GITAM, Hyderabad welcome the distinguished guest and he stressed the greater responsibility of a teacher toward the society as well as moulding the students.