Being a Mechanical Engineering graduate (?), having spent almost 20 years in the industry; manufacturing and Software Engineering, realized that i was educated but have not learned.
The realization came when attempting to design a flywheel for a cutting tool and on another instance, trying to write an algorithm based on planetary positions. Though one is from manufacturing and other from IT, the former required an understanding of force, torque, inertia and the later required knowledge of multi-body dynamics. Excuse me, what are these words by the way? seems like some thing in physics.
Having hit the cross-roads, the grand plan was to start from scratch and get into academics to learn the basics and get back to industry. After a few year in academics, the reality sunk in. The plan was great, but it was a strategic blunder.
To make the journey more painful; just a few days as an academician (Lecturer), happened to read this quote by the great Bernard Shaw - "People who knew how do do anything went and did it; while those who did not know how to do anything were obliged to earn a living by teaching" (refer pg 22, Mathematicians Delight, W W Sawyer). The lines were devastating at its best.
The question was nagging in the back and some raised this question about education and teaching. Actually education is about learning and not about teaching.
1. Education is about LEARNING
2. The next question is what do you mean by activity?
Activity could be
a) solving application problems
b) identify application areas for the concepts learned
c) Experience the concept by conducting an experiment or creating a project
3. How do we motivate students and get them to participate in the activity?
This is the most challenging part.
a) Demonstrate models/experiments where applicable
b) Explain a few applications where the concept is used
c) A vivid explanation of discovery/evolution of the concept
In our experience, "The Teacher" makes a subject; rather any subject, interesting. More a facilitator.
What ever Bernard Shaw had to mean (may be he thought education is about teaching), I am proud to be a teacher. I did not come to teach. I am here to learn. Happily Learning; for life. Experiment, Learn, Innovate with peers from different disciplines and the ever energetic younger generation.
Teacher + facilitator = Facilitacher
Teacher + facilitator = Facilitacher
I strongly believe learning should be a continuous and enjoyable process. according to me flipped classroom is class room where A leaner should teach (explain). Teacher should listen and guide the learner towards better and better explanations road to discovery.
I my honest opinion, a teacher should understand the learner. the learners IQ, memory retention, motivation levels, current interests and of course the gap.
A teacher should bear in mind that there are 2 types of tests. A competitive test (JEE, GATE etc), where the assessment relies on whether we know or not. Just a yes or no. On the contrary, the purpose of tests conducted by a teacher should be to assess the gaps of a learner. the gaps in concepts, presentation, logical thinking etc. Instead of using score card as a means of threat, a learner would be more forthcoming to share ideas.
Let there be classroom where learners teach and teachers listen.
"If a student has to become a genius, a teacher has to become a student"
I am working on a framework for assessment. you may write to me for more details.
