To adopt a courageous approach to risk-taking in our teaching
Aim
To adopt a courageous approach to risk-taking in our teaching and to understand the fears underlying our beliefs about barriers to change.
Evidence and reflection
Most teachers, especially reflective ones, will be able to think of changes they would like to implement but which, for a variety of reasons can seem too risky. Sometimes we are not even aware of our fears but are only aware that the planned action does not take place. Often these fears are related to concerns about the expectations others hold for us, and concerns about how they might respond to the planned course of action. The following activity is designed to help bring to the surface the risks associated with implementing desirable changes.
Make three columns headed: CHANGE, BARRIER, SUPPORT
Identify three changes you have thought about making in your teaching and that you have so far failed to implement. Briefly describe these in column 1.
In column 2 list the ‘risks’ that the proposed change carries with it. Ask yourself: What has stopped you? What fears have been implicated?
In column 3 try to identify the sources of support that might help you to overcome the fears and to implement the change. For example this could be further training in a particular area in order to increase your confidence or it could be to enlist the support of a trusted colleague.
Extension
Use the content of column 3 as the basis for a personal development plan.
