925  Pedagogy (the science of teaching)

Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 10:11:41 -0800
From: Andrew Allison <andrew@AALLISON.COM>
Subject: Pedagogy (the science of teaching)

>Trini wrote: "So the question becomes how does one encourage "bad"
>teachers to want to develop their teaching skills? . . . .

I offered some suggestions (primarily ensuring that leaders really know the
step, i.e., have the ability to perform it spontaneously, before
proceeding) for what seem to me to be good technique in the post which
started this thread. It's up to the students to insist on competent
teaching and to not patronize instructors who fail to provide it. The
bottom line is that, in general, failure to learn the a step is a failure
of teaching, not of learning.

Stephen wrote: "Most of the teachers with whom I have studied are
Argentine, and almost none of them participate in Tango-L."

That's why the students need to let them know what's expected of them.

also ". . . . Students might also tell the instructor what they do not
understand."

Yes! Unfortunately, it's been my experience that leaders are very loath to
admit that they don't understand something. I'm sure most listeros have
been in classes collectively asked if they get it, heard the chorus of
yeses and then observed that many of the responses should have been noes. I
know that I've been intimidated into thinking that I'm totally stupid, and
then seen that most of the other leaders didn't get it either but wouldn't
admit it.

Steve also wrote: "If we are writing about the top dancers of Argentine
tango, I find posing the question is a bit presumptuous. If I am able to
take a class or lesson from a top dancer, it is up to me to learn from it."

With respect, I disagree completely. IMO, it's up to me to make every
effort to learn, and the responsibility of the teacher, however exalted, to
make every effort to teach (as opposed, e.g., to demonstrate what good
dancers they are).

Regards, Andrew