Pedagogy features the learning processes involved in becoming a teacher. To this end, pedagogical courses must be created and conducted to help future instructors learn how to teach their students effectively. These studies usually include everything from how to create and use a lesson plan to how to effectively manage a classroom. Many pedagogical courses also include teaching theories that help instructors learn how their students absorb and process information. Method and style are a large part of these lessons. Teachers are also encouraged to reroute their thinking processes, to think outside the box and come up with creative projects to aid comprehension.
Generally, pedagogical courses start at a very basic level. Future teachers learn lessons in child psychology, usually gaining a broad understanding of child development before focusing on one particular age group. For instance, an instructor intending to teach high school may still find it helpful to understand how younger children develop and grow. If the teacher can understand the typical steps of mental development, he or she can usually more easily pinpoint where students are in that development. This often makes it easier to tailor lessons to the students to help them learn faster and more effectively.
After child development courses are finished, most nascent teachers start to learn about curriculum and lesson plans. In other words, they get a general idea of what kind of curriculum they might be teaching and why. For instance, an elementary school teacher might teach a history class on ancient history because many ancient cultures can be studied through mythology. Many young students find such fantastical stories engaging and are likely to remember them. Complicated related details like military movements, political battles, and social struggles are usually saved for older students who have likely learned about concepts like social structure and the workings of politics.
Some believe that the most important pedagogical courses a teacher can take are those related to dealing with the administration and the students’ parents. Though a teacher’s primary function is that of instructor and guide, he or she must also be a diplomat in many cases. Teachers are often caught between the interests of the parents and the rules set by the administration. Thinking critically and learning to maneuver within both worlds are often skills that teachers find invaluable.
Many new teachers find some of their pedagogical courses are a lot of fun. This discovery generally happens when they are finally allowed to work in some kind of classroom. Student teaching is often one of the last pedagogical courses an instructor takes before he or she becomes a full-fledged teacher. This experience allows new teachers to create their own lesson plans, discover personal teaching styles, and use the skills taught to them in pedagogy classes.
