So far we have discussed the teacher, the learner, the communication and the lesson separately. Now we need to observe how these elements work together in function. The actual work of the teacher consists of the awakening and setting in action the mind of the student, the arousing of his activities.

Thus, the teacher must excite and direct the activities of the student and as a rule never tell him anything he can learn for himself. Make your student a discoverer of truth — make him find out for himself.

“Wake up your pupils’ minds”;
“Set the pupils to thinking”;
“Arouse the spirit of inquiry”;
“Get your pupils to work.”

As the teacher, it is your responsiblity to create an atmosphere for the true function of teaching. This function is to create the most favorable conditions for self-learning. True teaching isn’t giving knowledge but creating the desire to gain knowledge.

The work of the teacher is to use their skills to excite the student about gaining knowledge and then supplying the atmosphere and conditions for the student to learn.

In the process of discussing the 7 Elements of Teaching, the teacher must discover if the learner even knows how to learn. It is very possible that the learner does not know how to learn. Therefore, you (the teacher) must stop and supply the learner with the necessary tools for learning.

If the learner doesn’t have the proper tools then your lesson will not carry over into the fifth element.

The fourth element in the process of teaching is the LESSON.

A knowledgable teacher will build a lesson that takes what the student knows and finds a connection to the new material. If the new material is connected to material already known it is more likely to stick. The key to learning new things is connection.

The lesson must be mastered in the terms of the facts already known by the learner — the unknown must be explained by means of the known.

But, the teacher must still get and maintain the students attention. A task that requires a bit of skill and a lot of practice. A teacher who thinks that the curriculum is sufficient will never be a great teacher.

The third element of teaching is COMMUNICATION. It does no good to design great lessons filled with fantastic content if the teacher fails to communicate the information.

Just like in the Lesson Element, the teacher must capture the learner’s attention and keep it. In order to do this the teacher must be fired up and enthusiatic about the subject material. If a teacher has not mastered the material the presentation will be cold and lifeless and useless.

Also the teacher must be sure to use the language and vocabulary of the learner. It is the teacher’s responsibility to introduce new vocabulary that will be needed for complete understanding.

For successful communication the teacher must know the material well enough to present the lesson with the proper language, vocabulary and enthusiasm.

One the biggest mistakes that teachers can make today is getting caught up in the self-esteem trap. Self esteem isn’t built by giving rewards that aren’t earned. It is built by successful acknowledging accomplishments based on events that can be evaluated and measured.

A teacher needs to be honest and truthful. If students don’t do well, don’t make up lame excuses for why they didn’t do well. Tell them it wasn’t good enough and help them learn how to correct the problem.

If you give false praise when it isn’t earned, students won’t take it serious when you give them a real compliment. It is the teacher’s duty to be truthful and honest with their students and if that means ruffling a few feathers, then ruffle them.