We've been learning our whole lives. We know how best we individually learn and how to be a successful student. But what about teaching? Is that something that we all do also? As a nursing student I am required to take a course called "Teaching Strategies for Professionals", and if that class name is a little vague to you, trust me you are not alone. On the first day of class my friend and I showed up and both admitted that we had no idea why we were here or why this class was a nursing requirement. We aren't studying to be teachers, why are we enrolled in this vague teaching class taught by the nursing school?
We are now multiple weeks into the semester and the class still sometimes seems like an odd requirement for nursing students, but we have finally figured out (kinda) what we are supposed to be learning through the course. If you think about it, as much as we always have been and always will be learners, we are also all teachers, even if you don't teach in a classroom.
For us as nursing students, we have to learn how to effectively teach a patient how to manage their chronic diseases such as diabetes, explain to them why they are sick, and simply show them what medications to take. This idea applies to most majors, no matter if you are going into the business, health, or education field.
We've learned different learning and teaching styles and strategies and how to implement them into a lesson plan or presentation. Learning to be a nurse is not just learning the medical science behind it all. We must also learn how to teach and educate patients, families, and other medical professionals.
So what have I learned this semester? I've learned that learning to teach is something that is actually a valuable skill for all students to have. I've learned that being able to teach effectively is actually just as important as knowing how to learn effectively.
P.S. Come by the flu clinic on Wednesday, October 8th and check out our
different health-related presentations we've put together through this
vague and yet unique class!
Awesome post! I agree that teaching is a great skill to have for anyone! I know that I am constantly trying to teach others about subjects that I am passionate about. Teaching was never really a profession I thought about, but after seeing what education can do to change people in a positive way, I really respected it. Education is such a powerful thing that I think most people take for granted. There have been entire movements that have happened because people gained knowledge about something and they were moved to change. I am applying for Teach for America this year and I hope that I gain the opportunity to teach others in a school environment. My biggest goal in life is to help others, and I think education is a big component of that. Thanks for posting!
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