Teaching and Learning

All of us are teachers at some time during our lives. We coach, parent, are bosses or formal instructors. We show people how to do things all the time. Obviously students learn things, but can all of us do better than we do, when it comes to imparting knowledge?

I believe the answer to that question is yes!  Much teaching from parents, coaches, and teachers is content driven. The focus is on what is to be learned and not on the process of teaching. 

People learn best, when they feel safe and valued. Threatened people can learn, but so much energy is focused on avoiding danger that learning is limited.  Think about it. When people feel safe, they are open and receptive. If you walk into a quiet classroom, most likely you will find a critical teacher. Like turtles in danger, the students have withdrawn into their shells.  

Here are some strategies for generating safety and learning no matter what the setting

1.     Work on giving more positives. For example, if a student makes a comment in class, respond with things like, “that is an interesting point’, or “ I like the fact that you are thinking. “Students, who feel valued, will share again. Be clever.

2.     Give feedback. How many times have we all worked hard on a project and then received the written comment, “ Good job.” One can only wonder how much the evaluator cares about the product and its creator!

3.     Protect learners from each other. The person in authority must set a norm of acceptance of any serious effort. Competitive students need to be put in check.

4.     Encourage learners to take risks as they feel more safe and comfortable.

5.     Admit your own mistakes. When a teacher or parent admits they are wrong or don’t know something, it can free students from having to live up to unrealistic expectations. If the teacher can be wrong or “ignorant”, they also can be.