Getting to the Core: Reflections on Teaching and Learning - Softcover

Levine, S Joseph Joseph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1411624203 ISBN 13: 9781411624207

Publisher: Lulu Press, Inc., 2005

Synopsis

A wonderful collection of 46 reflective essays that examine the role of the teacher and the challenges faced when trying to help others learn. A must read for adult educators. Presented in an unparalleled, refreshing format. Provides extremely helpful insights into the heart and soul of education - the personal commitment and involvement of those who have dedicated themselves to the wonderful, joyous, rewarding, yet sometimes exasperating, task of helping people learn, grow, and develop.

Fascinated by his own inquisitive desire to learn, Joe Levine has devoted his professional career to awakening that same spirit in others. His ability to ask questions, challenge ideas and encourage reflection have long been a hallmark of his teaching at Michigan State University.

About this title

About the Author

Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Transparent Programming

Too often the role of the educator gets in the way of learning!

The other day I reached for some Scotch tape and was disappointed to see that it was a roll of the old shiny type. (You know, the type that has a high gloss finish and darkens with age.) I had assumed that I had a roll of the newer type of tape - the kind that's just about invisible after you stick it on something. I really like the newer type because it works great and, unless you look really close, you don't even know that tape has been used! What a great product - the best tape is the kind that you can't see!

This stimulated my thinking and I started to try and identify other things that improved as they became more transparent. Window glass was an easy choice - it was so similar to tape. Then I thought of a television set and how a fuzzy picture was so annoying to watch. Or, how about a perfect fitting suit. If it was just right you hardly noticed it on your body - almost as if it were transparent.

Now I was on a roll! How about my favorite automatic teller machine. I can operate it wearing a blindfold. In a matter of a few seconds I can replenish my supply of pocket money and hardly notice that I even did it. It's as if the process was transparent. Driving my car, taking the exact same route to work each morning, heading to the same parking space - all processes that have become so familiar to me and comfortable that it's as if they have become transparent.

Then it struck me. As an educator we are often at our best if we are transparent for our learners. In other words, the best type of educational programming is that which is transparent and doesn't get in the way of the learners as they make use of the learning resources. Our role in the learning situation must be to empower the learner to access learning resources and to do it in the most expedient and transparent manner.

Too often we work to create a role for ourselves that becomes so significant that it actually can get in the way of the learner getting to the resources. We force people to sit quietly as we lecture on and on. We tempt them with ideas that we only partially explain. We imply that we're their only source of information. We run out of time so that questions go unanswered. All of these situations are examples of a lack of transparency. In other words, the Scotch tape is starting to really get yellow and it's getting harder and harder to read what's underneath it. Eventually people will stop trying to read what's underneath the yellowing tape!

Somehow we, as educators, have to learn to make our educational programming as transparent as possible. Our objective should be to provide opportunities for the learner to get in touch with the learning resources without having to spend valuable energy in dealing with us - the educator. The learners should be comfortable with us to the extent that they feel empowered to move directly to the learning that they seek. If we get really good at transparent programming the learners may eventually not even notice that we're there.

What a powerful feeling - learning on your own. All it takes is some transparent programming!

Edition details

• Publisher: Lulu Press, Inc.
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1411624203
• ISBN 13: 9781411624207
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 174