Learning is action. When a student doesn't understand something they have two choices, find help or keep being confused. I know the feeling of not wanting to ask a question, especially in a large group. The more experience we have, the more we know that we certainly are capable of understanding, it's finding that explanation that will "click" with us and the light will then come on.
How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?
A teacher needs to use a variety of techniques to help students learn. Students will have different goal orientations and different comfort levels of participation and engagement. A teacher's job is to attempt to motivate each student. Some students like games and competition, others do not. While there are reasons to avoid help seeking, there are some students that do ask questions. I guess my point is, you have to deal with all kinds of personalities, comfort levels, backgrounds and goal orientations. Teachers need to make it comfortable for all types of student to seek help. Above all, the teacher needs to be accessible. Some students will be more comfortable one on one and others just need an avenue to seek help without conflicting with their own goal orientation.
I like the idea that teachers should be accessible to all students, but in what context is that truly possible? I wonder if it is. I know I had students in the past who contact me to this day, years after graduation, sometimes just to say hi, but other times because they need an ear - someone to listen. I've also had students to whom I have not spoken - nor, for that matter, thought about - since they walked out of my classroom on the last day of the school year.
ReplyDeleteThese are two completely different types of students, with both of whom I was not necessarily compatible. I tried to be accessible, but not all students take to each teacher. I think it is great to be open and available to each student, and in a perfect world, I think we would have the time and the means to actually build that kind of rapport with all of our students.
Hmmm . . . maybe we just need to try harder. Maybe we DO have the time and the means, but we are too afraid, too distracted, or too unwilling to just do it.
Very provocative post.