Comments on: Teaching by example http://skepticlawyer.com.au/2008/04/teaching-by-example/ Two lawyers on law, legislation and liberty. And other stuff. Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:48:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: blonde canadian http://skepticlawyer.com.au/2008/04/teaching-by-example/#comment-11874 blonde canadian Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:58:33 +0000 http://legalsoapbox.wordpress.com/?p=564#comment-11874 I think variety is what makes it work. By all means employ new and exciting methods, but at the end of the day you're there to teach the kids, not win the 'teacher who let us stuff around the most' award. Absolutely, make it interactive and fun but make sure it relates to the curriculum. And you've been tagged, LE! I think variety is what makes it work. By all means employ new and exciting methods, but at the end of the day you’re there to teach the kids, not win the ‘teacher who let us stuff around the most’ award. Absolutely, make it interactive and fun but make sure it relates to the curriculum.

And you’ve been tagged, LE!

]]> By: Legal Eagle http://skepticlawyer.com.au/2008/04/teaching-by-example/#comment-11873 Legal Eagle Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:40:29 +0000 http://legalsoapbox.wordpress.com/?p=564#comment-11873 Absolutely, you need to gear your teaching towards the particular class: it's a matter of "horses for courses". However, if studies show that concrete examples confuse rather than inform, I think that one needs to be careful in using them. It is probably better to introduce the abstract concept first (so that those who can grasp the concept straight away do grasp it adequately) and then to introduce practical examples (so that those who did not grasp the concept initially can hopefully understand it through the application of the principle to a practical example). This is generally the way in which I teach (so that I cover all bases). And in some cases, practical experience is the <i>only</i> way in which to learn. I did not learn to be a lawyer until I actually practiced law, and no amount of academic study could prepare me or any other student for practice. I did despise teaching methods which treated me like a 6 year old, however (such as pretending to be an electron). Much better to explain the abstract concept, then give kids some electrical circuits to tinker with as a practical example... Absolutely, you need to gear your teaching towards the particular class: it’s a matter of “horses for courses”.

However, if studies show that concrete examples confuse rather than inform, I think that one needs to be careful in using them. It is probably better to introduce the abstract concept first (so that those who can grasp the concept straight away do grasp it adequately) and then to introduce practical examples (so that those who did not grasp the concept initially can hopefully understand it through the application of the principle to a practical example). This is generally the way in which I teach (so that I cover all bases).

And in some cases, practical experience is the only way in which to learn. I did not learn to be a lawyer until I actually practiced law, and no amount of academic study could prepare me or any other student for practice.

I did despise teaching methods which treated me like a 6 year old, however (such as pretending to be an electron). Much better to explain the abstract concept, then give kids some electrical circuits to tinker with as a practical example…

]]> By: Megan http://skepticlawyer.com.au/2008/04/teaching-by-example/#comment-11872 Megan Mon, 28 Apr 2008 05:23:47 +0000 http://legalsoapbox.wordpress.com/?p=564#comment-11872 Different teaching styles suit different people - there is no 'one size fits all' approach. Unfortunately, I think this is difficult for teachers to do and therefore, depending on the current 'rage', there will always be some kids who miss out. Different teaching styles suit different people - there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Unfortunately, I think this is difficult for teachers to do and therefore, depending on the current ‘rage’, there will always be some kids who miss out.

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