The (late) Breakfast Society - Latest Comments in Are you a Teacher of Knowledge or a Facilitator of Learning?

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

masyomo — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:55:39 -0000

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'

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

Dr. Mike Reddy — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:02:47 -0000

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!"

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

masyomo — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:17:47 -0000

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).

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

connie weber — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:01:46 -0000

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