The Author

Motto:

The student must learn in order to live and learn how to live. Life must enter school through all its doors and windows, inspiring students and teachers to exceed themselves, not in order to receive merits, but to reach their dreams, whatever they may be. (Marcelo Rodrigues - LIFELIKE PEDAGOGY)

We often complain that in Romania the students are not motivated enough. In his educational project LIFELIKE PEDAGOGY, M. Rodrigues suggests connecting the school to the world so that students and teachers can create and discover by themselves.
To read about the author go to: The Author

Here's an excerpt from his book. Which of the types of teachers described below will best help our children reach their goals in life?

"Schools nowadays are boring! They discourage everyone, be they students, teachers or principals. They manage to discourage even the parents, who do not feel encouraged  to take part in their children’s activities, contributing with the very important affective aspect, which would help students grow as students and people. The current learning model used in schools is inefficient and fake. Most students do not remember what the test they had the day before was about, even after receiving a satisfactory grade. The subject is not interesting to them and they only feel pressure from society as a whole to get the expected grades and evaluations. What could be expected from a professional that studied out of obligation? What evolution may be expected from a person who believes that learning is boring and difficult?

            That is the reason why we see so many adults, in unfortunately increasing numbers, interested only in celebrity magazines and futile subjects. Or, on the other hand, they are fully, and blindly, focused on the unstoppable search for more and more money, as an attempt to attribute meaning to their empty lives, forgetting themselves, their families, their friends, always complaining about their lack of time and quality of life, without making any effort to change their life style.Let’s be better than that! Let’s teach our students that there is a whole world out there, and we can do that by bringing this world to the classroom and, at the same time, taking the classroom to the world out there. Let’s bring the world to our lives.

The expectant-teacher

The role of the teacher must change radically. Instead of dispensing knowledge, hoping that students absorb something, In my experience, what motivates anyone to become a teacher is the affectionate involvement that emerges from the relationship with other human beings and the pride taken in their personal evolution and achievements. But how is it possible to reach these two sources of satisfaction if the students are passive in the whole process? How is it possible to develop an affectionate connection in a relationship based only on authority? How can one be proud of achievements when the student doesn’t even show the desire to struggle? Or could we consider a high grade on a test as a personal achievement?

The stimulating teacher

Like a coach, who yells at the team the whole time, stimulating them to give their best and to believe in victory, teachers should show their students that they believe in them, that they support them, that they will assume the risks with them in order to reach their goals and dreams.

The guiding teacher

As a wise person, the teacher must offer advice, showing the possible threats and opportunities that may be found along the way, but the teacher must never make a decision on the students’ behalf. No one can learn in life following scripts. Taking risks is something necessary and teachers must guide their students during their journey, helping them face obstacles, so that they can get to know themselves and face the situations with courage and strength.

The provocative teacher

Many feelings may come from a teacher’s provocation. The teacher must prod their students so that they move, think, ask, question, and argue: all valid actions in the discovery of life and the world.

The challenging teacher

This doesn’t mean challenging in the sense of stirring up opposition towards their students. Teachers should suggest chal lenges to be met together with the students. The teacher should show that they can do more, can go beyond what they think they can and that their teacher believes in them to the point of suggesting that they advance.

The collaborative teacher

A partner. This term can describe the teacher who collaborates,who does their share, who works together with their students, hands on. Not in the sense of replacing the students, but

doing with the students, being part of the group.

The facilitating teacher

Students are not always ready for a challenge that arises. The teacher must be the regulator of the challenge, so that it doesn’t become a factor to discourage the students, being too easy or too difficult. In certain situations, as it would defeat the purpose if the students didn’t manage to advance, the teacher may facilitate some passages."

For more information on the book go to:  http://www.lifelikepedagogy.com/book/