Both, and more
Posted April 27, 2017
on:What is your response to this tweet?
I have a few. One is that it is impossible to distill all that is teaching in a tweet.
Another is that the question presents a false dichotomy to seed discussion. The “telling” and the “letting” actually represent different ends of a large spectrum.
A more straightforward response, particularly from teachers who have learnt to go beyond telling, is that teaching is both.
I would point out that there is an imbalance. Teaching is still heavy on telling and light on letting. Telling is easier to do than letting, but easier does not mean better or more effective.
Just moving from monologue to dialogue is difficult. The talker must listen, analyse, clarify, and meet the learner where they are at. Reaching learners and empathising with them is fundamental to teaching. If we do not, we are just telling and yelling. Then no one is listening and learning.
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