Unsurprisingly I think there is a better way to do alot of things than how they are being done now. Surprisingly I have decided to write about them now. One such thing is education.
When I imagine myself teaching students something from scratch like an academic subject I feel like taking a different approach. My background of course being that I have been and am still a student. I think I know what things work well and what things dont. and allow me to hit the nail when the iron is still hot, I think this style where this person(teacher,professor,lecturer etc) stands in front of you and begins a presentation of facts is quite an ineffective way to teach students anything.
After 10th grade(or even before that but definitely after) this style of teaching should essentially end. Because by that time , all students have a very reasonable command of the language that the instruction is in. So they should just read the facts from the book. Most do that at the end of semester anyway.
Tell the kids what chapter to read, and by the time they come to the class all must have read it. The professor makes group of 5 to 6 people(on the spot and at random) from a total no more than 40 and asks them to present on spot for 10 mins on one aspect of the chapter. They will suck at first but they will catch up pretty soon. There could be a 5 minute discussion WITH THE PROFESSOR( only time this guy comes in handy). All the kids study because the selection is random. and since 5 or 6 people present at the same time. Its easier and faster than if the people presented individually. and I hope all of them get to present.
and don't dare give me that thing about certain subjects being technical or not. The books nowadays are exhaustive, with details explanations illustrations self assessments short quizzes summaries and what not.
Ofcourse the students are going to hate such a teacher DURING the semester. But towards the end they would be in love with that teacher because for the final exam type thing they wouldn't need to open the book. and because they have learnt it themselves and produced in front of an audience. and will be tested on that at the end of term. The learning stays. AND they learn how to present.
Bingo. There you go world. Dont thank me. its okay
When I imagine myself teaching students something from scratch like an academic subject I feel like taking a different approach. My background of course being that I have been and am still a student. I think I know what things work well and what things dont. and allow me to hit the nail when the iron is still hot, I think this style where this person(teacher,professor,lecturer etc) stands in front of you and begins a presentation of facts is quite an ineffective way to teach students anything.
After 10th grade(or even before that but definitely after) this style of teaching should essentially end. Because by that time , all students have a very reasonable command of the language that the instruction is in. So they should just read the facts from the book. Most do that at the end of semester anyway.
Tell the kids what chapter to read, and by the time they come to the class all must have read it. The professor makes group of 5 to 6 people(on the spot and at random) from a total no more than 40 and asks them to present on spot for 10 mins on one aspect of the chapter. They will suck at first but they will catch up pretty soon. There could be a 5 minute discussion WITH THE PROFESSOR( only time this guy comes in handy). All the kids study because the selection is random. and since 5 or 6 people present at the same time. Its easier and faster than if the people presented individually. and I hope all of them get to present.
and don't dare give me that thing about certain subjects being technical or not. The books nowadays are exhaustive, with details explanations illustrations self assessments short quizzes summaries and what not.
Ofcourse the students are going to hate such a teacher DURING the semester. But towards the end they would be in love with that teacher because for the final exam type thing they wouldn't need to open the book. and because they have learnt it themselves and produced in front of an audience. and will be tested on that at the end of term. The learning stays. AND they learn how to present.
Bingo. There you go world. Dont thank me. its okay
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