In modern education, the role of a teacher has shifted from being an authoritative figure to a facilitator who guides students toward discovering knowledge on their own.
A facilitator-teacher is someone who understands that learning is a collaborative process and facilitates the students’ journey toward it.
The Role Of A Facilitator-Teacher In Modern Education
The role of a facilitator-teacher starts with creating an environment that fosters learning. They act as a mediator between the students and the learning content, facilitating discussions, group activities, and hands-on tasks.
The facilitator-teacher’s role is to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and active participation from the students.
Skills Required To Be A Facilitator-Teacher
To be a facilitator-teacher, one needs to have a diverse range of skills. These skills do not necessarily follow from the traditional teacher’s skill set. The necessary skills include:
Communication: Ability to communicate ideas and concepts clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Empathy: Being able to understand and connect with the students’ emotions and perspectives, promoting trust and a sense of safety in the classroom.
Flexibility: Adapting to changing environments, content, and students’ needs, constantly being open to new ideas and approaches.
Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration, group work, and team-building activities to promote an inclusive classroom.
Critical thinking: Encouraging students to ask critical questions and think critically about the given content, promoting intellectual curiosity.
Technology: Proficiency in using technological tools to aid instruction, ranging from multimedia to online learning management systems.
Advantages Of The Facilitator-Teacher Approach
By changing the role of the teacher as a facilitator, students are allowed to take more active participation in their learning journey. This approach allows for students to engage more with the subject matter, creating a more hands-on learning environment.
With facilitated learning, students can ask questions, share ideas in group discussions, and have access to resources like learning materials, videos, and interactive tools—all in one place.