Teaching For Maximum Learning
By now we've understood that our grandparents' way of learning--listening to a teacher lecture--isn't very effective. Learning happens when students engage their own thinking by questioning, discussing, experimenting, and synthesizing. The effectiveness of a classroom can be measured well by how much time is students get to spend personally interacting with the subject.
So if students learn best by doing things themselves, and so much great learning content is freely available online, what then is the role of the teacher?
Teachers are motivators. Students learn by doing the work, but they actually have to do it. A great teacher infuses passion and interest in the subject, and selects relevant, engaging, assignments that pique student interest. If a student is struggling to get into a particular project, it's the teacher's job to work with them to adjust the assignment and find something the student can be excited about.
Teachers are supporters. Nothing stifles curiosity more than the feeling "I'm not good at this." Teachers must champion and energy of curiosity and psychological safety--it's not about being 'good', it's about being open to trying and exploring, and getting a little bit better every day. Great teachers give coaching suggestions and assistance from the student's side of learning journey, they're not passing external judgment on the results.
Teachers are challengers. Kids (and adults!) are capable of much more than they think, and than most people give them credit for. A great teacher sees the learner's infinite potential and pushes them to explore it. Regardless whether a student is at an A+ or D- level, a teacher's job is to find the right level of next challenge within their ability. Curriculum standards are a starting point, but great teachers adjust and raise the bar for each student to keep stretching their thinking.
A teacher effective in these roles creates a virtuous learning cycle: they build interest in a subject, foster an open and safe atmosphere, give students space and the right materials to engage on their own, and then support and adjust the challenge as needed so that the student can feel the satisfaction of being stretched and succeeding. This builds learner confidence, which leads to more interest and openness to bigger challenges, which builds even more confidence, and so learning is accelerated.
It's not particularly complicated, and yet many traditional teaching practices undermine this cycle. A few pitfalls to look out for that great teachers know to avoid:
Don't give extensive one-way lectures. Passive listening is usually a bore, and students tune out of the subject. And even in the best case that the presentation is enthralling, listening alone does not lead to strong retention of the material. Time is better spent letting students read and write out personal notes on the topic. If you do choose to lecture, add frequent questions, discussion, and moments of audience interactivity.
Don't blame students if they are disengaged. Of course we want learners to engage with the subject, but most humans don't consciously control their level of interest. It is up to the teacher to create a captivating experience, and a structure that encourages that engagement (e.g. no phones). It's fine to remind students to focus and ask them to adjust behavior, but doing so without unwarranted criticism will be much more effective.
Don't compare students. Whether comparing against each other or to a fixed grade standard, an atmosphere of competition polarizes the classroom. While a competitive atmosphere can be motivating for those near the top, it risks other students feeling like they can't win and disengaging from fear of judgment. The right standard of comparison is for each learner against their past self. Everyone can and should celebrate their personal growth, there are no losers.
Specifically because we are in an era where quality learning materials are universally accessible, teachers more than ever before have the responsibility and space to be coaches instead of lecturers.
Sebastian
2/17/2023
