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Developing resilience: The role of teachers
Citation
Mau, R. Y., Cheng, Y. S., Lim T. K., & Chan, T. F. (1999). Developing resilience: The role of teachers. In M. Waas (Ed.), Enhancing learning: Challenge of integrating thinking and information technology into the curriculum: Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference of the Educational Research Association (pp. 176-181). Educational Research Association of Singapore.
Author
Mau, Rosalind Y.
•
Cheng, Yuan Shan
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Lim, Tock Keng
•
Chan, Tung Fong
Abstract
The study of resilience is more hopeful than investigating the maladaptation of children at risk. Resilience keeps students functioning when they confront adversities and life's challenges. Teachers need to focus on developing a protective mechanism by which students have a belief and power in themselves to deal with changes and difficulties. Teachers can nurture and strengthen these protective processes, and thereby enhance resilience. They can provide opportunities for students to experience success and can enable them to develop essential social and problem-solving skills. The present paper reports a study on resilience of secondary students in Singapore. Preliminary findings show a significant correlation between students' perception of school and teachers. This paper discusses the implications of this finding and the role teachers can play to build resilience. Werner and Smith (1992) wrote, "Resilient students are planners, problem solvers and picker-uppers". To develop resilience in students, teachers can create a learning environment, communicate actively, develop problem- solving skills, teach students to be adaptive, and provide opportunities for self-efficacy.
Date Issued
November 1998
Description
This paper was published in the 1999 Proceedings of the ERA Annual Conference held at Plaza Parkroyal Hotel, Singapore from 23-25 November 1998