Since this is our first blog, I am not sure what to write so maybe I can write about "indecisiveness." This may or may not interest you but if you think carefully, you might realize that you are indeed indecisive! I became aware of this trait in college and understood how it could impact my life positively and negatively. Now you may ask how this is relevant to you and the answer is that being indecisive may greatly affect your teaching!
In my opinion, indecisiveness allows you to be a flexible person and thus a flexible teacher. When you are not sure about what you want exactly, you consider all other options and understand that rules are not written in stone. If your original plans don't work due to something going wrong, you may turn to plan B without hesitation. In fact, because you are indecisive, you always have a plan B or even a plan C. This may be helpful in the classroom since sometimes things don't work out. For example, you may have trouble with technology, the copy machine, or not have students who are in the mood for your activity.
Now there are also some drawbacks to being indecisive. If you don't know what you want, you may procrastinate in making a final decision and starting a task. This may leave you feeling frustrated. If you cannot decide between two activities, you may wait until the last day when you have to choose one and then not have enough time to prepare the activity. You indecisiveness may also lead other people into making decisions for you and remember because you are flexible, you will conform to their decisions. That may be OK with you unless later you realize that wasn't what you wanted! Being indecisive in the classroom may also frustrate your students!
My suggestion is to be moderately indecisive depending on the situation. If you are out with your friends and it's supposed to be a spontaneous night then you should be fine. If you have lots of class time and you don't need to cover important materials then that is OK too. However, if you have important decisions to make and you have no time to waste, then go ahead make a decision regardless of its consequences! Any other advice?
Random Thoughts
15 years ago
I haven't heard of moderate indecisiveness. That's an interesting concept. I think you can be decisive and still consider the merits of many sides. It all depends on the situation. But one should not let others decide on something he/she does not want to do. Maybe it also helps to decide what you do not want too.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, indecisiveness does not lead to being a good teacher. A good teacher should be open to both inductive and deductive approaches. An indecisive teacher is not a good model, can be unclear with students.
ReplyDeletePerhaps "flexible" is what you are searching for.
Indecisiveness is standing on the fence. You are stuck. You don't move.
Not where I want to be. I want to be able to jump the fence, push the fence down, make a hole in the fence, remove the fence.
It does, absolutely, help to decide what you want to do. It makes all the difference.
I agree with both of your comments. I like the fence metaphor. I think I was trying to say that it is not a good trait to have. You got it... I was searching for "flexibility."
ReplyDelete