What happens in most schools is "we teach+they learn". Though as I said before, there is lot more focus on "we teach" than on "they learn". The assumption is, if we do these rigorously then it will lead to better education. Hence "education = we teach + they learn". Most of the education edifice is designed to mandate this. However, after looking at what actually goes on in the classroom (and outside it), I think this formula is plain wrong.
The right formula should be "education = we coach + they want to learn". Coaching is not same as teaching. And learning is not same as 'want to learn'.
Consider "they want to learn" part. We take it for granted that good teaching will lead to good learning. Well, only if they want to learn. We hardly follow any formal methods which promote this "want". In fact, there is no thought given to promote "want of learning". On the contrary, schools do their best to destroy urge to learn through homework, exams, punishments, rewards or by simply boring them 8 hours a day for 10 years. If you pause to reflect, school is hardly a place where you would get an urge to learn. Thus we need see how to transform a class-room where urge to learn is created.
Consider "we coach" part. When someone wants to learn then the correct model is not to "teach" but to "coach". 'Teaching' evokes a taste as in case of "let me teach you a lesson'. Coaching and mentoring, on the other hand, requires different approach and methods in the class. A teacher should act more like a sports-teacher - training and practicing. This is not what teachers do or are trained to do. So in order to be a coach and mentor a teacher will have to shift his/her mindset in first place.
We have invested enormous time, effort, money and thought in the "education = we teach + they learn" empire. It's not leading to education, much less getting the best from each child. It will not be easy to shift the focus to "education = we coach + they want to learn". However, unless this shift happens, schools will remain places where students get degrees and not an education.
The right formula should be "education = we coach + they want to learn". Coaching is not same as teaching. And learning is not same as 'want to learn'.
Consider "they want to learn" part. We take it for granted that good teaching will lead to good learning. Well, only if they want to learn. We hardly follow any formal methods which promote this "want". In fact, there is no thought given to promote "want of learning". On the contrary, schools do their best to destroy urge to learn through homework, exams, punishments, rewards or by simply boring them 8 hours a day for 10 years. If you pause to reflect, school is hardly a place where you would get an urge to learn. Thus we need see how to transform a class-room where urge to learn is created.
Consider "we coach" part. When someone wants to learn then the correct model is not to "teach" but to "coach". 'Teaching' evokes a taste as in case of "let me teach you a lesson'. Coaching and mentoring, on the other hand, requires different approach and methods in the class. A teacher should act more like a sports-teacher - training and practicing. This is not what teachers do or are trained to do. So in order to be a coach and mentor a teacher will have to shift his/her mindset in first place.
We have invested enormous time, effort, money and thought in the "education = we teach + they learn" empire. It's not leading to education, much less getting the best from each child. It will not be easy to shift the focus to "education = we coach + they want to learn". However, unless this shift happens, schools will remain places where students get degrees and not an education.
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