Learning is interacting and increasing understanding based on that interaction. Learning is also stretching to attempt that which you think is beyond your capability. You've heard the saying that goes something like... if you reach for the stars and make it to the mountaintops, it's higher than you would have gotten if you reached for the mountaintops. (I'm sure someone said it better than that but you get the idea.)
How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?
There aren't too many people that attempt to stretch on their own. Being unfamiliar with a subject means you are not sure what is and is not possible. A teacher can challenge students and set a high expectation while supporting and assisting in making that achievement possible. A teacher can also be there as a rudder to give direction while making sure you have freedom to discover and be inventive.
I like your comments. I have never heard the saying before, but it makes a lot of sense. I am going to have to print it and keep it. I feel like we are approaching a mountaintop with these classes. I think that I have really learned & clarified a lot of learning and teaching methods.
ReplyDeleteI also like how you wrote that a teacher can be like the rudder for the students to give them direction as well as freedom to discover and be inventive.
You have some deep thoughts that in turn made me think! Thank you!
I agree that many of us don't "stretch" on our own. I think the fear of failing, the unknown, and unseen challenges scares and inhibits many of us from reaching beyond the known. I see this all the time with teenagers. They do not want to stick out or be "called out" for doing something wrong or usual. That is why the support of a teacher through scaffolding, and direction is vital to helping students reach their full potential. I agree that if we set our sights high great growth will come. Thanks for your insights.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post Sharee. I like the idea of stretching our abilities to see what we can learn. I thik we really do need to set high expectations for our students. We baby them to much and this does not help them at all prepare for their future. Life is full of challenges and our students need to be tough enough and have enough trust in themselves to meet those challenges.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of having students reach for the stars and not just settle for the mountain top. Students need to learn how to take failures turn them into successes. I know that I aim afraid of failure at times that I do not challenge myself.
ReplyDeleteYour blog post really made me think. I really like your comment on how learning is stretching beyond what we believe we are capable of doing. Therein lies the greatest challenge of learning--being willing to stretch ourselves so we can be successful. You're right about not many people being willing to stretch on their own. That's were a good teacher comes into the picture. A good teacher helps provide opportunities for the learner to stretch and to even understand the importance of setting and reaching high expectations.
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