Relevance and Importance of Teacher Training

1. Relevance and Importance of Teacher Training One of the most demanding vocations in the world is that of teachers and to fulfill this role teachers need constant training, motivation, along with mental and emotional rejuvenation. Teacher learning is a continuous and never-ending process as teachers need to master novel skills, enhance proficiencies, and upskill themselves in order to provide an engaging and modern teaching environment to their students. All around the world the education system recognizes the significance of teacher capacity building which is evident from the resources spent on teacher training programs. In Indian government schools, the training needs for teachers are extremely daunting. As many as 5.48 lakh teachers in primary schools and 2.25 lakh teachers in upper primary schools are untrained and do not meet the requirements set by RTE(Right to Education.) This is over and above the training needs of 13.3 lakh teachers who need to be recruited in the next three years. With this background, let us delve into what entails teacher training and the advantages of training teachers. What is Teacher Training ? Teacher training or teacher education comprises procedures and policies geared towards equipping teachers with the right attitude, knowledge, and skills to perform their tasks most efficiently and effectively.

2. ● Teacher training focuses on content - Teacher training efforts are concentrated on aiding teachers in learning the course material. It aims at increasing teachers' knowledge of the subject matter that they are required to teach their students. Many research suggests that it is best to teach teaching methodologies and strategies in connection with content rather than random teaching skills not related to the content. Comprehend technology and use it in their teaching - The pandemic disrupted many sectors in societies all over the world, one of the major ones being the educational sector. It has forced education to move towards the digital and online world with the introduction of new education policies, modifications in curriculum, and increased focus on technology-led teacher training programs. Active learning - A changed classroom practice where teachers are involved in active learning rather than passive information receiving is deemed as effective teacher training. With active learning, teachers learn how to engage actively in meaningful conversations. They learn how to include opportunities such as observing or being observed teaching, practicing in simulated situations, developing lesson plans, writing reports, reviewing student work, and receiving feedback. Teacher training involves an accountability system - Teacher training emphasizes an accountability system where teachers take responsibility for the quality of student learning, Focus on learning gaps - A targeted teacher training also works on actual learning gaps found in students as well as teachers and devises strategies to overcome them. ● ● ● ● Advantages of Teacher Training There is a drastic change in students of this generation in terms of environment and technology evolution. Teacher training is a burning need in this evolving environment. Through teacher training, teachers enhance their art of expressing themselves. ● Continuous professional development - Teacher training promotes continuous professional development of teachers where they stay updated on new skills and techniques for mapping student learning and academic progress. With continuous professional development, the teaching workforce gets equipped with methods of refining and sustaining their skills. This further helps in delivering a more result-oriented teaching experience to their students. Teacher training also helps teachers track their teaching and assessment methods. They learn how to update their methods by exploring more advanced techniques. ● Leverage enhanced skills of teachers for a better future for the present generation - With updated knowledge teachers are able to impart better education to their students. Their upgraded skills enable them to improve students not just academically but also technically. ● Improves students' emotional well-being - Teachers are taught to observe the physical and mental behaviors of students in teacher training programs so that they can also become emotional or career counselors in case a student has issues. ● They make students better humans - Teacher training not just enhances academic knowledge but also works on moral well-being so that teachers can make students into better humans. Teachers learn how to manage their own time and also enhance time management skills in their students through this program. They learn how to

3. design group projects and other extracurricular activities to improve decision-making and other skills in students which are needed to improve their daily lives. Build an inclusive classroom - We are finally in an era now where many disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD are being acknowledged and addressed. Teachers' training helps teachers imbibe an inclusive environment where students of different abilities can learn alongside their typical peers. Improve social norms in underdeveloped areas - An effective training program for teachers also addresses the social upliftment in underdeveloped areas. Through teacher training programs teachers are not just taught how to impart knowledge in a better manner but also to raise social awareness like education of girl child, eradication of casteism, women empowerment, and so on. ● ● Enhance the Education System With Shikshaantar Shikshaantar is an initiative of Tech Mahindra to create a difference in the education sector. Through their teacher training program, Shikshaantar, Tech Mahindra strives to help all stakeholders in the education system (teachers, school administrators, educators, and leaders) work at their highest potential. We organize in-person workshops which are activity-based and also provide on-ground support with their regular classroom observations. We also provide child-friendly materials that teachers can use as aids in their classrooms. Source: http://www.articles.kraftloft.com/Articles-of-2020/relevance-and-importance-teacher-training#gsc.tab=0