The Significance of Teaching in Colleges

Importance

The higher education topic that I will use as the main focus for my course project happens to be ‘teaching in Colleges’. I chose this topic owing to the fact that teaching happens to be a crucial undertaking as it is on this front that students develop in terms of how they approach their practice and study as well as how they develop their way of thinking. According to Dall’Alba (1994), the deployment of superior teaching practices promotes the quality of education. Colleges can serve as bridges in the pursuit of further education as well as grounds for the formulation of skills for other available opportunities. One component that interested me in as far as this topic is concerned is the need to highlight the relevance of enhanced teacher-student interaction throughout the learning process. It also restates the need for teachers to be ideal role models. Both teachers and students play an important role in college teaching.

It is important to note that according to Tormey (2021), teacher-learner/student relationship or engagement is linked to student absenteeism, classroom management, and learning and, thus, predicts the quality of course experience among college students. This topic also relates to my experience in teaching in colleges whereby I have been an administrative justice teacher in the community college system for the past 15 years. As an administrative teacher, I have been able to introduce students to processes related to the American justice system via the incorporation of a wide range of crucial elements including, but not limited to; forensics, homeland security, law, corrections, courts, psychology, sociology, and criminal justice. With such concepts and related data, my students have developed problem solving, communication, and critical thinking skills - which have helped them understand criminal behavior as well as methods of reigning in the same.

Significance

Teaching in colleges is instrumental in efforts to equip students with meaningful skills for fruitful engagements in real-life settings. This is more so the case given that as DallAlba (1994) points out, teaching provides students with experiences that help them enter into their field of practice and study. Essentially, teaching happens to be one of the main component in education planning. Some students who have gained the associate degree have had the opportunity to transfer to a 4-year institution with the aim of gaining a Bachelor’s degree so as to improve their critical thinking skills and knowledge in administrative justice. As a result, the said students have been able to secure jobs at practices which are inclusive of, but they are not limited to; loss prevention managers, juvenile correction officers, as well as federal, state, or local enforcement officers. It would be prudent to note that one of the key aspects of community colleges in the contemporary society is the diversity of the student body (Labov, 2012). Towards this end, the relevance of cultural awareness on the part of the teacher cannot be overstated. Further, Labov (2012) suggest that the number of learners who enroll in community colleges exceeds that of learners who enroll in four-year degree institution. Therefore, I perceive teaching in community colleges as a way of unifying diverse groups of learners.

Impact

This topic relates to current practices in that the main focus is the engagement between the students and teachers and the relevance of such engagement in the further enhancement of the learning process. Apart from deep learning approach, surface learning which, as Mladenovici et al. (2021) observe, involves reproduction of the learning material and memorization, has also been highlighted. It is important to note that according to the authors, the said approaches determine how students approach learning. Therefore, when teaching involves a learning-focused approach, students will adapt easily than when teachers use approaches that are content-focused. For this reason, teachers should beware of their teaching approach given that it influences the learning process (Mladenovici et al, 2021).

Biblical Worldview

From a Biblical perspective, it should be noted that God is the creator of all things. Therefore, all forms of learning - including teaching in colleges - find their ultimate significance from God (Bowers, n. d). In addition, the author suggests that God’s revelations are seen through his creations. Therefore, in all subjects that are taught, students can expect to learn more about who God is, as well as his wonderful works. Essentially, teaching does not just increase students’ knowledge. Instead, it also helps them understand the beauty of His creation. Instruction in college settings also reminds students to remain thankful for the opportunities that God has provided for his creation to flourish. The entire creation, including Christians and non-Christians, can learn or acquire world knowledge and exploit its full potential through learning. Bowers (n. d) also points out that teachers should depend on God’s guidance when teaching. Essentially, knowledge is good but if it is done for unselfish gains, then it is unqualified (Cor 8:1). Therefore, teachers are advised to direct their students towards obedience and Christian discipleship.