HELPING TEACHERS FAST-TRACK LEARNING WHO IS WHO IN CLASS
Question: How long does it take a teacher to learn the names of his / her learners? Answer: Any of the following: 2 Months / 6 months / forever.
Problem: Learners feel left out, teachers get confused and sense that they do not have proper control. Teachers who are teaching subjects other than maths or the languages do not see everyone more than three times a week and getting to know WHO IS WHO can take forever.
Solution: I invented a simple tool that enables a class / subject teacher to learn the names of his / her class within weeks. I call it “facebook”. I have employed it with great success the past 20 years.
This “facebook” consists of A4 contact sheets with the faces in a particular class, spread across the page in alphabetical order. Each thumbnail photo has the learner’s name printed below it.
Some teachers would also be able to do this themselves, but they have to learn how to do it and have access to the right software, take time out from a busy schedule and may never get around doing it
What is my mission?: I am offering to take the pictures of learners by class, in class list order, with the assistance of the class teacher. Thereafter, I am resizing, editing and renaming the pictures at home. I print ONE set of spread sheets per class and also supply the school with a digital copy of the photos.
What it is not: It is not high-resolution portraiture photos. So, it cannot substitute your annual paid photo session where parents buy photo packages.
By when? The next day, or depending on my program, within 48 hours.
Use: Teachers back it up on their phones to enable lookup at any time and retain a copy in a carry file. Admin makes extra copies for every concerned teacher, learners can cut them out and paste them on the covers of their writing books, but learners do not get personal prints. The main purpose is to supply the teacher / school with a tool that enables staff to fast track learning of learner names.
Advantage:
- A teacher uses his / her own copies and to easily ID the learners before him / her during contact time.
- The teacher also sees the learner’s face and name when checking the writing books, whether the learner is present or not.
- Discipline gets toughened up. A child could refuse to give his / her name, but with this “facebook” the teacher has the upper hand.
- The principal / deputy principal / HoD could have their own office copies for whatever reference purpose.
- Every teacher gets to know every learner much faster.
- NB: PHOTOS NEVER APPEAR ONLINE!!!
Cost: I will charge a standard fee of R200 per class of 40 learners. When the school is ready for me to do; e.g. the complete grade 4 – 7 section, you can confirm a booking with me. It is not feasible for me to do only one class per booking because there is no extra charge for distance travelled within Pretoria.
Time frame: I could do the whole Intersen Phase within 2 hours if everyone cooperates well.
Location for the shoot: The classroom or another convenient easily accessible inside area. Most definitely not outside as there would be uneven lighting.
Pre-advise learners as follows:
- We are generating a teacher / school resource. It is not a fashion shoot.
- Follow the class list order strictly.
- Stand still, take a natural pose and look straight at the camera.
- Ignore any distractions whatsoever.
- Make a relaxed facial expression. A gentle, soft smile works well.
How do I work? My wife (also a former teacher) and I work together. We arrive ahead of time. Verify the location and setting. Brief everyone concerned. Put up the background, line the learners up according to class list order with the teacher’s help and shoot in quick succession. The rest is done at home.
Make a booking via email: dirkjjc1@gmail.com
See you soon!
Dirk JJ Coetzee
(Former teacher and principal)
More about me here: http://beenthere.co.za/people/
