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Are you a Teacher of Knowledge or a Facilitator of Learning?

Started by mas · 10 months ago

Maybe “both” is your answer! But are you really?
I was reading this discussion about ‘Using Technology in Education‘ that includes a list of gut reaction responses by educators as to what their fears are about using technology. Some of the things ... Continue reading »

4 comments

  • connie weber

    10 months ago

    Hi Mike,
    I love what you said here: "Their role was not to ‘educate’, but to facilitate a process through which participants would share knowledge and ideas (and therefore learn)." So true.
    It's funny, this whole philosophical discussion (going on over at Fireside as well) makes me realize how much core teaching philosophies come into play. Are you as teacher "dispenser of knowledge bits" or one who enables the hunting and sharing of knowledge by others? I agree with the questions you're raising.
    It's time we look square onto what's essential in this switchover into 21st century learning skills.
    And enjoy the fresh air.
    Connie
    reply
  • mas

    10 months ago

    Thanks Connie - I think its a really interesting time, and now that knowledge is so 'cheap' and easy to access its interesting to see how the role of educators will switch towards a focus on helping to learn and discover, scrutinise and organise etc. I think there's also a cultural issue here too which is the erosion of the 'respect your elders' attitude - children and young people don't automatically do that any more and actually the emphasis on 'empowering' young people/giving them a 'voice' etc. etc. means that a traditional 'top down' & 'respect me for what I am' approach is very hard to do. I think the 'we're in this thing together' and lets 'go on a journey' approach is certainly more effective within informal education (where participation is usually voluntary).
    reply
  • Dr. Mike Reddy

    7 months ago

    I have an adage "have to know everything to do anything?" that I use regularly to get people to try and accept mistakes as learning opportunities. I also use it in my own practice. So long as there is trust it can work to go in and say "I haven't got a clue. Let's find out together!"
    reply
  • mas

    7 months ago

    Hi Mike - I like that. I'm wondering too if the way we assess students
    needs to change - more emphasis on learning journeys, experiences had
    and how adventurous/creative/experimental students are along that
    journey? Although I'm not against standards and benchmarks too and
    also allowing for 'failure' - but seems there would need to be a shift
    in the goals for students to encourage more educators to adapt the
    'we're in this together' approach rather than 'you must learn this,
    this and this'
    reply

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