Sending mixed signals is something that happens often in education and after watching 'The Responsive Brain', I feel like talking about it.
Whilst our words say a lot it is our actions that speak louder and in the classroom students may be hearing what your saying but understanding something completely different. This can relate to hidden curriculum[1] and affect what they're learning, or it could just affect the social interactions with in the classroom.
If a teacher is always at the front of the room dictating but is teaching of democracy, what does this teach the students? Will students learn how democracy works or will it all be in theory? Are students learning just from this experience? I believe so. Without any content these students are still learning the place of authority, their place in society and how to obey rules and regulations. This type of hidden curriculum is dangerous in it often undermines what the students are supposed to be learning about. In this case, a fair and voted on system of power.
I am also not just talking about body language and tone of voice. It is not okay for a teacher to be hypocritical. A teacher may not say that spelling is the most important thing to learn in life but consistently spell things incorrectly on the board. It is also not advised for a teacher to get her/his information from Wikipedia whilst at the same time telling students that it is not allowed for a reference. These things, whether small or large, undermine the teacher’s credibility and students will begin to distrust, and even to dislike their teacher.
I believe that it is easy to forget that is not only what we say but also what we do that effects how students learn and what they learn in the classroom.
[1] Robyn
Ewing (2010) Curriculum and Assessment (pp. 41). Hong Kong: Sheck Wah Tong
Printing Press Ltd
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