Raymond Lewis (raylewis@sp.edu.sg)
Thu, 9 Sep 1999 15:19:14 +0800
From: "Raymond Lewis" <raylewis@sp.edu.sg> Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1999 15:19:14 +0800 Subject: "Telling isn't teaching"
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Dear IFET's readers
I have combined elements of the last debate with the current topic relating
to the appropriate use of computers with children. I would like to start
by quoting a question often posed to me over the past fifteen years as a
teacher Trainer and Educator;
"If I'm not talking am I teaching?"
Unfortunately many practitioners fall into the trap of getting carried away
with their own enthusiasm and spend a large percentage of their time
lecturing. Telling isn't teaching! The resultant consequences are all
too often, passive students, bored who are required to regurgitate as much
information as they can possibly retain in a written examination.
How refreshing to look at the work of Seymore Papert and the
connectedfamily.com site. I am an advocate of enjoyable and relevant
active learning, which also includes active listening, so I feel there is a
place for a tutor input. However the biggest challenge facing Trainers and
Educators is to take risks and move outside the traditional conventions of
the three R's to the three X's as Papert describes.
In my view the biggest step is to acquir the skills to facilitate eX
ploring, eXpressing and eXchanging and for those charged with the
responsibility for Teacher Training to recognise that eighteenth century
approaches should not be the dominant part of the twentyfirst century
learning programme.
I have been priveldged over the past two years to share some of the eastern
wisdom that many of my colleagues possess in Singapore and one of the
lasting impressions I will take with me is the quotation;
" In order to bring about change, you must start by changing
yourself."
Ray Lewis
Education and Training Staff Developer
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