Replying to LO28074 --
Artur writes,
> I wonder why so many teachers are only "imparting knowledge" or
> "instructing". And I wonder what do they do to their own children: do they
There are no doubt many reasons, I think, for this tendency (and of
course, by no means all teachers/instructors/learning facilitators focus
on just putting in!).
Several that come to mind . . . ego, in that it makes them feel important
to be considered an "expert" in something; it's easier, from an
instructional standpoint, to focus on putting in, or imparting information
(Paulo Freire's notion of the banking metaphor for learning) than to draw
out; putting in information is often faster than drawing out; we (in the
US anyway) are often entrenched in the value of a Newtonian way of
thinking, the separation of the parts, etc -- values also expressed in the
"putting in" way of thinking about learning.
Drawing out, though, demands higher level thinking skills (or
consciousness?), a certain mindfulness, and a willingness and ability to
think critically. The drawback? Why, people will think for themselves!
And be forcefully vocal. And openly critique what they see around them.
They will try new things, push the envelope, challenge the status quo.
In many ways, such attitudes and actions are in opposition to the desires
of business and civic leaders -- too often, quiet and conformity are the
ultimate values.
Best,
Terri
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