I teach genetics and do research in evolutionary microbiology at the University of British Columbia. This blog is about my teaching, and about other teaching-related ideas and issues.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Do as I say, not as I do?
Very few of the speakers at the Reinvention Center conference have applied any insights into teaching and learning into their presentations. We get the same talking heads, and today a bad powerpoint.
Isn't that always how it goes? I have to sit through hours of "professional learning" sessions every school year on the topic of why what we (supposedly) are doing in the classroom is wrong and here is a better way to teach. How is it always presented? Same old lecture format with questions at the end. Sit-and-get all the way. Of course, it's the most time-efficent way to deliver, but does nothing for buy-in by the receivers of wisdom.
Isn't that always how it goes? I have to sit through hours of "professional learning" sessions every school year on the topic of why what we (supposedly) are doing in the classroom is wrong and here is a better way to teach. How is it always presented? Same old lecture format with questions at the end. Sit-and-get all the way.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it's the most time-efficent way to deliver, but does nothing for buy-in by the receivers of wisdom.