Studying and Learning.Part6

TEACHER ETIQUETTE

Just as the adab of teaching and learning applies to students of all kinds of knowledge, not only religious knowledge, all teachers, no matter what their subject, should practice adab in their duties. The following are some guidelines for teachers:

• A teacher should be up to date on the latest information and developments in their field and always come to class well prepared.
  
• A teacher should explain the topic at a level the students will understand, thus not destroying their motivation by making them feel it is too difficult.
  
• A teacher should live an exemplary life which inspires respect in terms of their behavior, words, lifestyle, and morals. “Respect cannot be forced, it can only be given.” Teachers who constantly scold their students, demand respect from them, and try to force it instead of inspiring it are not only the least beloved teachers, they are also the least effective.
  
• A teacher should always strive to love teaching and to communicate their knowledge in the best way possible.
  
• A teacher should approach students with the same compasion as a parent, not indulging hard workers, or belittling or putting down lazy students.
  
• Students’ faults should not be pointed out and listed in front of their friends in order to humiliate them; teaching requires tolerance and a forgiving nature.
  
• When necessary, a teacher should listen to students to share their problems, give them support, and assist them. At the same time, they should be careful not to become so familiar and casual with the students that they lower the dignity of the pursuit of knowledge.
  
• Grades should not be held over students’ heads as a threat and a teacher must be impartial in assigning grades.
  
• Teachers must avoid accepting expensive gifts, lavish dinner parties, or other such offers made by the families of students to safeguard the honor and integrity of their office.

STUDENT ETIQUETTE

Clear, concise rules are required for a child’s moral education, character and values to develop properly and to ensure academic success. If this foundation is laid both at home and in the student– teacher relationship, the classroom environment becomes more enjoyable and positive. For this reason the most essential rules will be listed here:

• Honesty: This is one of the most basic and critical corner- stones of communal life at any level. Lying, cheating, copying the work of others, stealing, or using things without permission must not be tolerated at school; indeed, they are unacceptable in every segment of society.
• Courtesy: This is the outer expression of basic respect for oneself and others. Therefore, students must be held responsible for their choice of words  or the tone  of their voice. The same polite behavior and courtesy  that  they owe to their elders they also owe to their peers; that is, students need to be courteous to one another.
• Social relationships: Students need to be taught to avoid insulting or using vulgar terms of address or styles of communication with one another. They must not forget that it is bad behavior to belittle, ridicule, or taunt other students, or to form cliques. Students should be admonished and warned about such behavior on a regular basis so they will take it seriously, thus learning to be careful about how they joke or tease others.
• Personal care: This is an important mark of a person with excellent character. Children must learn to pay attention to personal cleanliness and bathe daily. As they grow, physical cleanliness becomes more and more important, and they should be aware of this. Hygiene is the most effective way to stay healthy and avoid contagious illnesses (which are often rife in school environments). So students should remember to wash their hands with soap before and after meals and before and after using the restroom.