Category: Teacher Diaries

Students Worst Enemy – Procrastination

Students Worst Enemy – Procrastination
By Ahmad Amirali

So, the term ended on a high note with lots of fond memories and blissful moments. Every year students’ study hard and try to give their best at every level; from sports to extracurricular activities. It seems quite easy, is it so? Well, in reality, the road to success for students is full of challenges and surprises. Some problems even, if not dealt on time, follow students throughout their lives, making their life more challenging then ever. One such issue that students start having soon as they entered their teenage is – procrastination. The term which has a powerful bond with almost all of us; teachers, parents, adults, students etc. The art of delaying things and unable to complete specific tasks on its deadline is called procrastination. However, the question that puzzles me every year is how a person procrastinate when he/she completely aware about the importance and the completion deadline of a task allotted to him/her by their teacher, parent or boss? Continue reading “Students Worst Enemy – Procrastination”

Why Do Students Want to Be Perfect in Everything?

Why Do Students Want to Be Perfect in Everything?
By Ahmad Amirali

“Sir, I meet my subject tutor today and he told me that achieving 95% in mathematics and science I, not a big deal and overall 85% is an average grade for a student like you….my parents appear to have a similar kind of thoughts… I feel so much pressure, what if I lost or unable to achieve these grades….”

This is one of the common concerns or what can I say a ‘trauma’ shared by many students, but differently, since I started my teaching career. Each year, several students graduated and happily embark upon their career journey. Some reach out their goals and successfully achieve whatever they’ve planned for their future. However, some teenagers try to pursue whatever their parents, teachers, friends or relatives think are best for them and in that pursuit all they do is simply sacrifice every dream they ever dream for themselves. The question is why is it necessary for students to achieve greatness in every walk of their lives? Does it come from within or from the adults around them? Continue reading “Why Do Students Want to Be Perfect in Everything?”

Why Students Sometimes Fear to Speak Out Their Minds in The Classroom? | Reasons and Remedies

Why Students Sometimes Fear to Speak Out Their Minds in The Classroom? | Reasons and Remedies
By Ahmad Amirali

Have you ever wondered sometimes a teacher plan a fascinating topic for his/her class and despite witnessing the students’ interest in the subject, they simply avoid participating in classroom discussion or even sharing their opinion? Every year I encountered such student behaviour in my classroom, and upon counselling the students, I hear the same excuse; ‘I was silent because I was worried to share my opinion, what if someone rejects or laugh at my point’. Interestingly, this year I found the same issue with a number of students in my classroom. But this time not one or two, but majority share the same concern that they fear of being singled out or accidentally saying something offensive. Let’s explore what makes students fear to speak out their minds in front of their peers? Continue reading “Why Students Sometimes Fear to Speak Out Their Minds in The Classroom? | Reasons and Remedies”

5 Ways to Use Social Media in Classrooms (Session 1)

5 Ways to Use Social Media in Classrooms (Session 1)
By Ahmad Amirali

This year, I am experimenting and have introduced ‘Online Discussion Forums’ in my classroom to help my kids reflect and personalise whatever they’ve been taught at the school (Previous Article: The Online Discussion Boards – A Classroom Pedagogical Tool | How to Use Guide | Pros & Cons). Similarly, there are number of ways through which teacher can involve students in personalisation mode and using social media as a pedagogy for student learning and engagement is one of them. One may ask ‘Why social media?’, Well, It’s not a secret that today’s students are hooked-up with social media due to its popularity and the sense of communal belongingness. Therefore, many teachers are incorporating social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook into their curriculum. From ‘bulletin boards’ to ‘fake Facebook profiles’ for historical figures, teachers are turning what students post on social media into classroom assignments. Continue reading “5 Ways to Use Social Media in Classrooms (Session 1)”

Why Students Try To ‘Negotiate’ Their Assessment Grades?

Why Students Try To ‘Negotiate’ Their Assessment Grades?
By Ahmad Amirali

I still remember when I was in school and get average grades in my class tests. I try to ask the teacher why I received such grades. Even the checked paper in front of me was full of teacher’s comments. The same anxiety is taking a new shape in the form of students’ concerns, which they showed in various creative ways after they receive their tests grades. Now students share their concerns with their teachers and parents and, in some cases, even start appealing over social media like Facebook and WhatsApp. The reasons can be anything from convincing oneself that they did their level best; still, they got these marks, or they try to maintain their social reputation or even some only wat sympathising words that might cheer them up. However, the matter of concern to me is not the channels students used when they are in distress but their behaviour of appealing and complain. Why students even want to negotiate or try to request for their assessment re-grading? Continue reading “Why Students Try To ‘Negotiate’ Their Assessment Grades?”