Some questions on education theory.?

Question

Q1. Are teachers always necessary?

Well, many times I have myself experienced that teachers aren't necessary. For example, when I learnt teacher type math(No reasoning, exam oriented, keep doing exercises and memorizing them like an idiot) , in which the final aim seemed to be to achieve great marks(which I did) I soon saw that I forgot what I had learnt previously. But when I myself studied it conceptually then I saw that I find it useful in many things for eg. programming and finally started to 'learn' something. What the teacher speaks in class, I seldom remember. It is during deep study at home when I properly understand all the concepts. Many teachers just keep giving homework without thinking that the students would soon forget everything. In fact, most students think that education is useless beyond exam and career(for money). Also, I have learnt c++ easily by myself in 8 months. But in many cases, teachers are necessary.

Q2.Explain why rote method is wrong.

Answer 1

Hi. Many learners do rote method, and for sure is not their fault, but a system of education that views assessment as a measurement for learning. Nowadays, there is a big shift happening in education, and assessment methods are also changing, where self assessment is something to look for and build in learners.  To learn in order to pass a test, is not learning, per se, as you commented, after the test, all the content is lost in your brain.  I, personally, view that teachers ought to change with the times, and they should provide an environment where the pressure of assessment doesn't influence the learning outcomes. The best teachers are the ones that do very little in the classroom, but that assist the learners so themselves do their learning. A teacher should have an understanding of the different types of learners and the best method of assessment, for example, checking for reliability, if student have had consistent results in different assessments, is there a need to continuously assess, NO, it's redundant.  Also, bear in m ind that assessment can influence positively or negatively, so let's all the teachers there, take easy, and ask themselves, Is this really necessary?Am I assessing for the heck of it, or to meet my students learning outcomes? Have I provided learners with the resources so they can use self assessment? This is a great question, and there is so much there to be done in this area. To sum up, I believe that assessment should be authentic, relating to the learner, and should more than anything be a guide where the student can self assess their learning as they go.

Answer 2

Q1, Are teachers always necessary?

Depends what for?  Can you imagine primary school children teaching themselves numeracy and literacy?  Teachers (either formal teachers or parents/ carers) are required to teach basic skills.  I could see that some secondary/tertiary students may be able to "learn" some concepts on their own.  However, as you alluded to, is this really learning?  Learning is more than just recalling the main ideas/concepts, it is the ability to understand them and apply them in the real world, I think for that teachers play a big role.  A good teacher can explain the context and application of the ideas/concepts.  Also, teachers are able to explain and check your understanding - sometimes you may think you understand a concept but how do you know and who would you ask if you did not "get it"?

Q2.

Rote method is not "wrong" for simple concepts - such as definitions, timetables, basic formula etc.  It is method that allows students to recall basic ideas/concepts but repeating them until they can recall them on demand.  However, if you are learning more complex ideas/concepts and wish to truly understand them, this method does not work.

Answer 3

See, teachers are the guiders, they can tell how and which form the questions comes and how to prepare to answer those questions. Teachers are not necessary everywhere because they can only spent more than 1 hour a day rest it is with you that how you prepare to give answer in the examination. They will tell the points and the way to answer but it depend on you how you understand and how you answer in a good manner.

Answer 4

You are exactly right. I don't know how you found out, did you see us video taping you? This whole 'educational system' is for you and you alone, and it looks like we went a little overboard. All these other kids, the dumb ones, don't worry about them... they're not real anyway. Sorry, by the way, for creating a whole educational system just for you and overestimating the amount of resources we needed for you.

Answer 5

Everyone has a way in which they appear to learn the best.  Like you, some people prefer solitude and privacy... many inventors have certainly taken that route.  But I feel it's important to try to learn in many different ways.  Why? Because I feel it deepens the total understanding.  For example, if someone tells you how to tie your shoe laces, that's one way of learning.  But if after they tell you, then then show you how to tie your shoe laces, it deepens the understanding.  The more deeply you understand something, the more likely you are to remember it and use applications of it in your life.

Answer 6

Teacher is necessary to help very young kids to learn the essential basics like reading, listening and communication, ... Beyond that they are only guides. Teachers are also your grate time saver. You may get a very important piece of information without having to waste hours searching for it in books and on the Internet. The Internet has provide so much information and it makes teachers less relevant than before.

While the role of the average teacher may have diminished greatly in modern days, there are very special teachers that only the very lucky students can access. These are the "masters" of their field. They have visions and deep understanding that no books and Internet can match.

One ancient Chinese way of thinking about the role of teacher is "The master who pointed out the road for students to take when they do their own quests". Unfortunately in modern time the average teachers are just time savers.

To test teachers I suggest you just keep asking "why". That way of asking will reveal the true ability of your teachers. You must understand that many teachers are very scared of being asked by kids because they don't really know why. They only repeated what they see in textbooks or what their teachers taught them many years ago. This is particularly true in mathematics.

Just ask things like why 2/3 divided by 3/4 is 2/3 timed with 4/3. If they can explain this properly, you know your teachers did not loose their basics!

BTW, on your other question about why rote method is wrong, I would not say that. Rote method is useful on some areas. Many people are fooled by the modern emphasis creativeness. You need to learn a lot of your language by rote. Vocabulary is best learnt by rote. Phrases are best learnt by rote (eg: Once upon the time ..., Long ago there was a princess ...) Mathematics time tables are learnt by rote to allow you to do mental maths quickly. There is a place for rote learning if you want to become efficient. The problem is that teachers often cannot stop arguing about this area. The trick is to strike a balance between rote learning and relationship-based/analytical learning. Don't try to analyse why you call your mother "Mum" or why people don't call dogs as "cats". You are best learning these things by rote otherwise people think you are mad.