Selasa, 16 Desember 2008

Saya Anak Masa Depan



“Saya anak masa depan”

Umur saya lima tahun. Saya akan hidup di tahun 2070. Kelak, dimanapun saya suka dan bekerja, saya pasti akan berada dalam lingkungan yang beragam suku-bangsa, budaya dan keyakinannya: Orang kulit putih akan menjadi etnis minoritas. Hal tersebut akan menjadi hal yang perlu saya pikirkan saat bersiap untuk sebuah pekerjaan. Asia Pasifik akan menjadi pusat kekuatan dalam dunia baru saya; telah hampir setengah milyar bangsa Cina berusia di bawah 25 tahun; Populasi di Asia merupakan setengah populasi dunia (separuhnya di bawah usia 25 tahun). Mempertimbangkannya sebagai sebuah pasar yang bertumbuh – semua yang berusia di bawah 25 tahun itu adalah rekan segenerasi saya. Kebangsaan saya mungkin tidak penting lagi karena dunia telah mengecil, orang-orang berpindah dan kebanyakan tempat kerja akan di-internasionalisasi – dunia saya akan menjadi tanpa batas. Setengah milyar orang di Asia adalah kelas menengah seperti saya dan saya mempunyai perilaku dan pola konsumsi yang sama. Tahun 1900 – 1,6 juta orang ada di bumi tahun 2000 – 6 milyar (tetapi hanya sekitar 1 milyar orang yang mampu makan 3 kali sehari).

Gas emisi kendaraan bermotor telah merubah cuaca kita. Saat saya mulai bekerja, kewajiban lingkungan akan diperketat secara internasional – jika tidak dunia akan diancam oleh “Perang Hijau”; itu termasuk pembatasan akses air bersih, tanah lapisan permukaan, sumber energi dan makanan. Saya akan tinggal dalam “rumah pintar” yang dilengkapi perangkat untuk berbelanja, menyiapkan makanan serta perlengkapan rumah tangga lain yang diatur secara elektronik. Sekolah saya harus mengajarkan saya bagaimana hidup nyaman dalam dunia yang beragam suku-bangsa, budaya dan keyakinan. Saya akan belajar tentang Shakespeare dan Marsden, kisah Mahabarata, sebagian teks Budha dari India, novel Korea Selatan, sejarah Cina, politik Amerika Selatan, teladan para nabi serta hikmah Al Quran. Sekolah saya berkata saya adalah warga global. Saya mengerti apa arti hal itu. Saya harap kamu juga. Yang paling utama adalah saya ingin menjadi lebih bijaksana untuk mengetahui apa yang dapat dipercaya dalam diri saya dan dunia saya. Saya ingin mengetahui apa yang dipercaya oleh orang-orang paling bijaksana di bumi. Saya ingin dunia menjadi sebuah tempat yang indah untuk cucu-cucu saya. Guru sekolah saya sangat penting bagi saya karena mereka memberitahu saya bagaimana berurusan dengan masa depan – masa yang jauh, jauh di depan.

Ways to Help Students Pay Attention in Class - Improving Your Child's Attention

Ways to Help Students Pay Attention in Class - Improving Your Child's Attention


Help Your Child Improve Attention Skills and Stay On Task
Students with learning disabilities sometimes have difficulty attending in class. This is particularly true of students who also have Attention Deficit Disorders with and without hyperactivity. These tips can help used alone or with a comprehensive behavior intervention plan.

1. Seat the student near the teacher for instruction.
2. Provide a quiet area for seat work or consider a study carrel, stall, or cubicle.
3.Pair the student near others who model appropriate study habits. Watch the situation to ensure the model students are able to work. If this arrangement causes unfair disruption of their work, try another method.



4. Ensure students have adequate space between them.
5. Increase the amount of time the student has to complete the task.
6. Break assignments down into smaller tasks to help the student focus on finishing each part.

7. Some students become overwhelmed when given too much information to process at once.
8. Help the student determine what tasks need to be done in what order. Help him organize his work with checklists, and have him check off items as he completes them.

9. Consider using a timer to help the child track the amount of time he has to complete the tasks.
10.Reduce the amount of work the child must complete. For example, consider shortening spelling lists, reducing the number of pages he must read, or reducing the number of questions he must answer.


11.Provide guidance in multiple forms. Provide visual and hands-on models, written directions, spoken directions, and check for the student's understanding several times while he works.


12.Give frequent feedback on things he is doing well and things he needs to correct.
13.Have other students provide the student with copies of notes, allow tape recorded lectures, or provide the student with a teacher-made outline of instruction in class.

14.Use cues to encourage the child to get back on task. Agree ahead of time what those cues will be. A touch on the shoulder, a hand on his desk, a tap on the blackboard, flipping the light switch with a general prompt to the class such as, "Everyone should be reading silently on chapter three now. We're quiet and looking at the textbooks."

When Classroom Rules are Broken!


When Classroom Rules are Broken!


Here's What You Can Do:

Effective classroom management will increase instructional and learning time. Planning is key to success. Are you ready to take action on every routine/rule that is broken? Are your expecations in place?



First of all, I'll assume that you've already brainstormed a list of rules/routines with your class and that they have been role-modeled and well known by all members. These rules can be referred to as 'Our Classroom Code of Conduct' or 'Our Big 5' or 'Our Classroom Bill of Rights' or 'The Class Constitution'. Examples of rules are:1. Always be your best and do your best.2. Be cooperative.3. Respect others and the property of others.Always remain on task. OR1. Be on time, be on task, be prepared.2. Demonstrate respect for yourself, other students and property.3. Behave appropriately at all times. OR1. Follow directions and instructions.2. Always pay attention.3. Work quietly. 4. Always do your best.Once you have established the rules, discuss them and provide questions about what they mean. Provide role-modeling opportunities with the rules.


Now, what are the consequences for breaking the rules? If you think you're ready, answer the following questionsabout your plan.
Are you prepared to be consistent with consequences? This is the important part! What will happen when a student breaks a rule once? twice? a third time? This is when your discipline plan really shapes up!


The rule is broken once: The teacher conferences with the student. This should be done in a quiet area in the classroom or just outside the door as to not embarass the child. The child should be prompted as to what they will do in the future.


The rule is broken a 2nd time:There should be at least one of the following in place: time out, detention, notice to parent, student writes a note to parent, a behavior journal is started. (points for positive and consequences for negatives)


The rules is broken a 3rd time: Parent is informed of previous inappropriate behaviors and that should it continue - a behavior plan will be in place.


The rule is broken a 4th time: In school or out of school 1 day suspension. Referral to a board

Kepemimpinan Lima Jari


1. Leader as a communicator (ibu jari).
Sebagai seorang pemimpin kita harus paham proses berkomunikasi. Komunikasi adalah pertukaran informasi antara pengirim dan penerima yang dipengaruhi oleh hambatan-hambatan komunikasi yang terjadi pada pihak-pihak yang bersangkutan. Hambatan komunikasi pertama yaitu fisik, seperti: cacat fisik, bising, dan sebagainya. Kedua, hambatan psikologis, yaitu keterbatasan orang dalam berkomunikasi karena faktor psikologis seperti keadaan emosi dari salah satu pihak yang berkomunikasi. Ketiga, hambatan semantik adalah keterbatasan komunikasi karena penggunaan kata atau istilah yang tidak umum (jargon).
Untuk mengatasi berbagai hambatan tersebut, Pak Buset, demikian biasa dipanggil memberikan teknik khusus yaitu ANTV komunikasi.
· Artikulasi, yaitu teknik mengucapkan kata secara tepat, benar, dan jelas.
· Nada, yaitu lebih mengacu pada tinggi dan rendahnya suara. Agar tidak terkesan monoton, variasikan nada suaranya. Nada yang stabil cenderung membuat Anda kehilangan perhatian dari pendengar.
· Tempo adalah kecepatan dalam berbicara. Kecepatan manusia berbicara sekitar 140-160 kata per menit adalah umum.
· Volume yaitu tingkat desibel suara yang dapat ditingkatkan atau dikurangi dengan lebih menekankan udara pada chord vokal.


2. Leader as a developer (jari telunjuk).
Sebelum Anda mengembangkan bawahan Anda, sebaiknya ketahui dahulu mereka dengan memetakannya. Apakah ia berada di kartu mati, banteng, si santai atau star.
· Kartu mati; tingkat kuantitas dan kualitas usaha rendah.
· Banteng; tingkat kuantitas usaha yang dimiliki bawahan tinggi sedangkan kualitas usahanya rendah. Bawahan seperti ini perlu dikembangkan.
· Si santai; bawahan memiliki tingkat kuantitas usaha rendah sedangkan kualitas usahanya tinggi. Bawahan seperti ini perlu dikembangkan melalui motivasi.
· Star; para bintang lapangan dengan kualitas dan kuantitas usaha yang tinggi. Berdayakan bawahan ini secara efektif agar terus bisa berprestasi dan menghindari kemungkinan mencari tempat lain yang lebih baik.
Setelah Anda memetakannya, langkah selanjutnya adalah dengan memberi IDEA: Instruction, Demonstration, Exposure, dan Accountability.

3. Leader sebagai motivator (jari tengah).
Dua langkah efektif memotivasi bawahan Anda, yaitu:
· Beri mereka the BEST shot: Believe, Encourage, Share, Trust.
· Share your TRUST: Time, Respect, Unconditional positive regard, Sensitivity, Touch.

4. Leader as a trust builder (jari manis).
Terdapat lima langkah yang harus dilakukan seorang pemimpin dalam membangun kepercayaan, yaitu:
· Kedudukan: hak, yaitu orang mengikuti karena mereka harus mengikuti.
· Izin: hubungan, yaitu orang mengikuti karena mereka berkeinginan mengikuti (mereka merasa nyaman).
· Produksi: hasil, yaitu orang mengikuti karena apa yang telah Anda lakukan untuk organisasi.
· Pengembangan manusia: reproduksi, yaitu orang mengikuti karena apa diri Anda dan apa yang Anda lakukan bagi mereka.
· Kemampuan menguasai pribadi: rasa hormat, orang mengikuti karena siapa diri Anda dan apa yang Anda wakili.

5. Leader as a creativity (jari kelingking).
Otak memiliki fungsi yang sama dengan jantung, mereka harus dilatih dan dipacu agar tetap berfungsi maksimal. Setiap manusia bernyawa otak dengan dua bagian yang berbeda fungsi yaitu otak kanan dan otak kiri. Otak kiri mengontrol bagian kanan tubuh, proses berpikirnya lebih terstruktur, logika, rasional, analitik dan manajerial. Contohnya adalah pendidikan dan pelatihan. Sedangkan otak kanan yang mengontrol bagian kiri tubuh, mengatur proses emosional, intuitif, kreativitas entreneurial. Contohnya bermain dengan warna, bunga, musik dan sebagainya.
Untuk menjadi seorang pemimpin yang sukses adalah VPB yaitu vision, passion, dan belief.

Kamis, 20 November 2008

Top 6 Keys to Being a Successful Teacher




Top 6 Keys to Being a Successful Teacher







By Melissa Kelly,




The most successful teachers share some common characteristics. Here are the top six keys to being a successful teacher. Every teacher can benefit from focusing on these important qualities. Success in teaching, as in most areas of life, depends almost entirely on your attitude and your approach.



1. Sense of Humor
A sense of humor can help you become a successful teacher. Your sense of humor can relieve tense classroom situations before they become disruptions. A sense of humor will also make class more enjoyable for your students and possibly make students look forward to attending and paying attention. Most importantly, a sense of humor will allow you to see the joy in life and make you a happier person as you progress through this sometimes stressful career.

2. A Positive Attitude
A positive attitude is a great asset in life. You will be thrown many curve balls in life and especially in the teaching profession. A positive attitude will help you cope with these in the best way. For example, you may find out the first day of school that you are teaching Algebra 2 instead of Algebra 1. This would not be an ideal situation, but a teacher with the right attitude would try to focus on getting through the first day without negatively impacting the students.

3. High Expectations
An effective teacher must have high expectations. You should strive to raise the bar for your students. If you expect less effort you will receive less effort. You should work on an attitude that says that you know students can achieve to your level of expectations, thereby giving them a sense of confidence too. This is not to say that you should create unrealistic expectations. However, your expectations will be one of the key factors in helping students learn and achieve.

4. Consistency
In order to create a positive learning environment your students should know what to expect from you each day. You need to be consistent. This will create a safe learning environment for the students and they will be more likely to succeed. It is amazing that students can adapt to teachers throughout the day that range from strict to easy. However, they will dislike an environment in which the rules are constantly changing.

5. Fairness
Many people confuse fairness and consistency. A consistent teacher is the same person from day to day. A fair teacher treats students equally in the same situation. For example, students complain of unfairness when teachers treat one gender or group of students differently. It would be terribly unfair to go easier on the football players in a class than on the cheerleaders. Students pick up on this so quickly, so be careful of being labeled unfair.

6. Flexibility
One of the tenets of teaching should be that everything is in a constant state of change. Interruptions and disruptions are the norm and very few days are 'typical'. Therefore, a flexible attitude is important not only for your stress level but also for your students who expect you to be in charge and take control of any situation.

Top 5 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Teacher




Top 5 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Teacher





Teaching is truly a noble profession. It is also a very time consuming one, requiring a commitment on your part. Teaching can be very demanding but can also be extremely rewarding. Here are 5 things you should consider before taking up teaching as your chosen career.




1. Time Commitment
In order to be an effective teacher, you need to realize that the time you are at work - those 7 1/2 to 8 hours - really must be spent with the kids. This means that creating lesson plans and grading assignments will probably take place on "your own time." Further, to truly relate to your students you will probably be involved in their activities - attending sporting activities and school plays, sponsoring a club or a class, or going on trips with your students for various reasons.

2. Pay
People often make a big deal about teacher pay. It is true that teachers do not make as much money as many other professionals, especially over time. However, each state and district can vary widely on teacher pay. Further, when you look at how much you are being paid, make sure to think of it in terms of the number of months worked. For example, if you are starting out with a $25,000 salary but you are off for 8 weeks in the summer, then you should take this into account. Many teachers will teach summer school or get summer jobs to help increase their yearly salary.

3. Respect or Lack Thereof
Teaching is an odd profession, both revered and pitied at the same time. You will probably find that when you tell others you are a teacher they will in fact offer you their condolences. They might even say they couldn't do your job. However, don't be surprised if they then go on to tell you a horror story about their own teachers or their child's education. It is an odd situation and you should face it with your eyes wide open.

4. Community Expectations
Everyone has an opinion of what a teacher should be doing. As a teacher you will have a lot of people pulling you in different directions. The modern teacher wears many hats. They act as educator, coach, activity sponsor, nurse, career advisor, parent, friend, and innovator. Realize that in any one class, you will have students of varying levels and abilities and you will be judged on how well you can reach each student by individualizing their education. This is the challenge of education but at the same time can make it a truly rewarding experience.

5. Emotional Commitment
Teaching is not a desk job. It requires you to "put yourself out there" and be on each day. Great teachers emotionally commit to their subject matter and their students. Realize that students seem to feel a sense of "ownership" over their teachers. They assume that you are their for them. They assume that your life revolves around them. It is not uncommon for a student to be surprised to see you behaving normally in everyday society. Further, depending on the size of the town where you will be teaching, you need to understand that you will be running into your students pretty much everywhere you go. Thus, expect somewhat of a lack of anonymity in the community.