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Subject:Re: Plenty of blame to go around . . . From:Jennie Achtemichuk <jennie -dot- achtemichuk -at- MCCAW -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 5 Jun 1995 12:11:16 -0700
Arlen.P.Walker wrote in reply to the analogy of the two students
who should take responsibility for their schooling:
>>There were two screws . . . Does it make more sense to blame the
screws, or the carpenter who decided that one screwdriver would
drive all possible screws (including Phillips and Square-drive)?
Lovely analogy, Arlen.
>>Then why does it make sense to blame the student when the teacher
makes the assumption that one method of teaching serves all? In
addition to learning faster or slower, people also learn
differently. Good teachers can recognize this and adjust. Lazy ones
don't. The lazy ones penalize the student for their own problems.
But you trip up here. Standard knowledge and practice among
teachers is that students have different learning styles. That's why
all the teachers I know rely on multimedia tools (as in the old
style of using multiple mediums and activities, not CDROMs).
Why is there always good teachers/students and bad/lazy
teachers/students? Because it's a convenient way to place blame when
all parties should be seeking success and achievement. Actually,
the dilemna in teaching is meeting the needs of all students in a
limited period of time. You try doing this day in, day out with
25-40 students in a 50 minute period. Add to that mandated
curriculum (for example, literary works in English, not business
writing) and your own frustration in limited resources and low pay.
It's a wonder we get the gems of teachers we do, and the graduates
we do.
>>Bad grades are somtimes the student's own fault; there's no
denying that. But they are also sometimes the teacher's fault.
You're going to hear more about competency based education, which
is being mandated in some states. Grades are going out, while
students are going to be required to be competent in a host of
skills and knowledge.
And who's fault will it be when students don't pass then? I'd say
we'll be in the same situation: the partnership between student,
teacher and sponsors fell down.
Have fun,
Arlen
Chief Managing Director In Charge, Department of Redundancy Department
DNRC 124
Arlen -dot- P -dot- Walker -at- JCI -dot- Com
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