Tag: Student Development

My Readables > Student Development

Why Sense of Achievement Matter Most to Some Teenagers?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Why Sense of Achievement Matter Most to Some Teenagers?
By Ahmad Amirali

When I was a kid, I still remember the way my older sister used to cheer me up whenever I didn’t do well in my exams or class tests and the celebration when I passed the finals with colours. Today, the education environment is much competitive, and students keep struggling to maintain their position in that competition. Therefore, I usually find my students arguing over their grades like ‘Sir, I believe, I deserve an extra marking in this task compared to others, as I prepared the presentation and presented it as well.’ As a teacher, I observe such student behaviour as ‘self-confidence, competitive mindset or high achieving attitude towards learning. However, the question that puzzled me while listening to their concerns over grade is ‘what makes students think so intensely about achievement or accomplishment? How would it impact the way they foresee their future? Continue reading “Why Sense of Achievement Matter Most to Some Teenagers?” →

Why Do Students Want to Be Perfect in Everything?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

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?” →

20 Questions Every Teenager Should Ask Themselves Before Entering into Adulthood

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

20 Questions Every Teenager Should Ask Themselves Before Entering into Adulthood
By Ahmad Amirali

Last week, one of my students suddenly showed up in my class after two weeks of uninformed leaves. She looks embarrassed and quiet, so I simply leave the matter by asking about how is she and how is everything at her end. After class, she came to me and apologise for her irregularities and inform me that she was not quite well. Upon asking, she confesses that she wants to shift her career in finance and economics, however, her family is not in her favour. I asked her what she wanted to be and she said, she is good at maths so she might do well in finance. While listening to her, I start thinking about an issue every teenager nowadays is bumping into their lives. Nope, it’s not about how to choose a perfect career (even though it’s a matter concern for almost every teen). I was wondering, What does she need to do to identify her greatest potential? But most importantly, when she needs to do that self-assessment? Continue reading “20 Questions Every Teenager Should Ask Themselves Before Entering into Adulthood” →

Why Is It Necessary for Teens to Set Emotional Boundaries?

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

Why Is It Necessary for Teens to Set Emotional Boundaries?
By Ahmad Amirali

Being emotional is necessary for kids, especially for their personality grooming (Previous Article: Why Is Being Emotional Necessary for Our Children Better Future?). However, it is also essential for teens to maintain some emotional boundaries as they are entering the practical phase of their lives. Every year one of the parent’s most severe concerns consist of their child’s sensitive behaviour towards their social, religious or academic circle. Parents concerns make perfect sense to me because, being an adult, they themselves finding it difficult setting their own emotional boundaries and therefore they consider being emotional is kind of a weakness which is not true.  Let’s get through it with an example; you living in a big house with your family and a huge barn with a horse stable.  Every morning you wake to witness this remarkable peaceful site where everyone, human and animal, loves each other. However, the whole area where you are living has no fence in it or a ‘boundary’ that mark your territory. What would be the repercussions of not having a fence? Yes, the security of loved ones, kids, wife, parents, animals and the beautiful, peaceful life will be on stake because its ‘open to anyone who wants to come’. Now put your teen’s emotions in place of this remarkable site and repeat the situation and you will find ‘having fences’ will come handy. The solution is ‘having fences’ not to get rid of this peaceful site and to shift somewhere else. So, the question is what is an emotional fence or a boundary and how we can manage to put it in our life? Continue reading “Why Is It Necessary for Teens to Set Emotional Boundaries?” →

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

Posted on by Ahmad Amirali

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)” →