Possibilities and challenges of Transformative Teaching

Possibilities and Challenges of Transformative Teaching
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Possibilities and challenges of Transformative Teaching
Introduction
Learning is an art where we are equipped with the right skills and knowledge that we would use to explore and interpret relationships. One of the key tenets in the development of any country is education. Therefore, In order for us to have the required skills and developed talents we have to be taught. Learning is a process of transforming one’s relationships with his/her community which constitutes society and nature (Cranton, 2009). Information is wide, diverse and a mirror image of a value system where the learner consistently challenges their location in relation to ideology, technology, culture, nature and power structure. There are various lessons that students have to go through in the learning process these include: traditional lesson where the experiences of learning are based on facts, concepts and skills for the students to internalize and comprehend; liberal lesson where the experiences of learning are based on skills, facts and connections to the student’s interest and transformative teaching in which the teacher acts as a director, mediator and facilitator that is, he has a destination in mind and makes effort on providing the directions to embark on the learning experience .
Transformative teaching is aimed at engaging students in community-based action (Alcantara, 2007).Teachers are seen as crucial elements in the educational system therefore they must be empowered and effectively be prepared at all costs to extend the curriculum skills and knowledge to the learner. The goals of transformative teaching are as follows; to advance instructional innovation, to support teaching faculty in their desire to promote learning in and out of the classroom, to bring to attention research about teaching to the society, to offer course development in all areas of enhancing, planning, evaluation and implementation and to create self-critical learners who have great levels of skills in communication, analysis and interpretation.
Teaching is a developmental process where the student shifts from less to greater sophisticated abilities and ideologies. Transformative teaching requires an ultimate new approach to learning and teaching which is more self-conscious about its methods and goals. Other than adopting an instructor-centered approach, transformative teaching is geared towards a learner-centered initiative. This paper is grounded on the possibilities of transformative teaching and some of the challenges that occur during this period.
Possibilities of transformative teaching
When the state begins to view teachers as strategic actors in the development process and increase the importance placed upon them and education then, they will have a positive impact in educational planning. Transformative teaching makes it possible for the state to approve the work done by teachers as having positive effect on the lives of the youths in society. Taylor (2007) argued that transformative teaching brings about a positive experience towards individuals who have gone through this process. For example, most individual’s self-confidence has increased as a result of the new relationships and roles formed, states of spiritual growth and personal power are improved, others have had immense compassion towards the people around them, new connections with others are made, discourse are changed and creativity is increased. For example when a freshman from high school joins college he meets with different people from different backgrounds and cultures. Diversity helps the students to appreciate one another and find ways of bridging gaps that may exist between them (Nieto, 2009).
Transformative teaching is centered on the idea of recreating assumptions and thoughts regarding the structures, systems and societies that we belong to. The educator has to bring in preconceived outcomes, methods and intentions which are related to an ethical dimension. He has to be aware of the reasons of transforming the students and needs to be careful that he is not biased towards certain outcomes that make up the transformation process. There can be possibilities that the students and the teachers will be transformed therefore educators ought to be alert and sensitive to their own goals and objectives with regards to transformative teaching to ensures that it does not lead to indoctrination, brainwashing or coercion(Easton, 2009).
Educators need to consider several factors before attempting this form of teaching. One must be aware of the ethical factors that might arise should he decide to question or problematize the learner’s beliefs, or the ethical consequences that would arise should he decide to present his or her own perspective irrespective of the learner’s. An educator is not entitled in anyway to push students in any direction that might seem uncomfortable instead they are encouraged to mentor and facilitate them to a reflective destination which has the capabilities to be transformative.
Educators have a sole-responsibility of inspiring learners towards the sensitive yet delicate process of transformation. Education needs to transform an individual to be an impactful and effective member of the society (Cranton, 2009). Therefore teachers and educators has a great role to play in ensuring that the learners are directed, mentored and inspired to be transformational leaders in the society. Critiques need to be included in the status quo of the curriculum to strengthen its validity. When issues are presented under a critical perspective, education then laden with value and students on the other hand are in a position to create their own decisions and judgments on how to live in this world. Transformative teaching makes it possible for a student to make independent choices and take responsibilities for the events and circumstances that occur in his life. Therefore, it is important to include and emphasize on alternative views during lessons. An educator acts as a resource, facilitator and interpretive guide for the learner not a therapist or a close friend.
Transformational teaching is necessary because it transforms an ordinary student into a sustainable citizen and an environmentalist. Transformative shifts will occur apparently if educators teach students about the essence of place and ecology. This will help the student adapt greatly to a new environment which he or she was not used to in the beginning. A transformative learning that is purposed for freedom of thought and empowerment differs greatly from that which has a certain endpoint in mind. Learners must be empowered towards having a positive interest about a new environment therefore their t...