The principles of learning and teaching provide incredible insights into the essence of education. Learning Principle #7, to become self-directed learners, students must learn to monitor and adjust their approaches to learning, speaks to the students ability and willingness to self-assess themselves. As an Alverno grad, I am well versed in this area, and see great value in it. The action of honestly looking at one's own understandings, strengths, and weaknesses builds a solid foundation for self-direction.
Teaching Principle #1, effective teaching involves acquiring relevant knowledge about students and using that knowledge to inform our course design and classroom teaching, speaks volumes about the importance of developing meaningful relationships with our students. Taking the time to get to know who we are teaching is the difference between being quality educators and people who just instruct. When you know how your students learn, you know how to effectively communicate and facilitate learning.
Hi Erin,
ReplyDeleteI like your comment about knowing your students and that making the difference between being a quality educator and just an instructor. I think you're right, but I wonder how you do this with the volume of students that you have? I know in my work, the stronger relationships I form with my students the better students they are as well. Sometimes it's hard to know them all!
Thanks! Mary