tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107060758629396184.post7493646168677817444..comments2024-03-26T23:23:06.905-07:00Comments on Blogger in Middle-earth: JourneyBlogger In Middle-earthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08722634477041121797noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107060758629396184.post-47516824540573570242010-05-25T16:11:52.390-07:002010-05-25T16:11:52.390-07:00Tēnā koe Virginia!
Thank you for this.
The buddy...<b>Tēnā koe Virginia!</b><br /><br />Thank you for this.<br /><br />The buddy system that your teacher used is a good one when used with learners.<br /><br />The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_apprenticeship" rel="nofollow">cognitive apprenticeship theory</a> also explains why the more experienced learner can often not be as successful at tutoring as the lesser experienced learner. This too is a factor in your teacher's method of buddying up OK learners with struggling ones.<br /><br /><b>Catchya later</b>Blogger In Middle-earthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08722634477041121797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2107060758629396184.post-85938029966242781892010-05-11T06:27:31.900-07:002010-05-11T06:27:31.900-07:00One of my best teachers, a very strict nun I had f...One of my best teachers, a very strict nun I had for Chemistry, insisted on having those that were "OK" in the subject tutor those that were struggling. As students, we didn't understand this, questioning why she wouldn't have the more advanced students tutor those that were having difficulty. Instead, she had those that were doing aright tutored by the advanced students. <br /><br />Her explanation was that when you need to teach another person, you understand the content better yourself. Later on, Kolb's idea that putting a concept into words helps to create new knowledge and understanding. The truth in Sr. Clarence's (yes, that was her name) and Kolb's ideas follow me into the classroom every semester. It is amazing how my students' questions makes me understand a topic I have taught over and over again. <br /><br />However, I wonder how many teachers AND students think that they know everything and understand everything there is to know about a topic, so aren't open to new understandings. To continue using your pitcher metaphor, you can't get liquid into a glass or pitcher if you have a top on it. It is a teacher's role to create an atmosphere in the classroom or learning environment that allows for spills. Who knows, maybe some of the "spills" will land on others, thus creating a greater level of understanding from those that may "already know."V Yonkershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11910904367068063554noreply@blogger.com