Re: Bewilderment, ambiguity, and understanding
Jay Lemke (JLLBC who-is-at CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU)
Sat, 13 Apr 96 23:47:12 EDT
There is nothing wrong, to me, with a little lecture, provided
the students _want_ some exposition and explanation on a topic,
and provided it is not the only genre of teacher-student
interaction. Livelier discussion is a good sign. Frequent, or
at least earnest, student questions is another. So is some
initial divergence of topics followed by convergence to new
topics of real interest to each student or groups of students.
Students in school don't get much practice finding their own
ways into a subject, formulating their own specific interests
and questions, learning how to pursue their own inquiries,
etc. Backing off of controlling the class agenda is one good
step. Positively encouraging and supporting their interests
and inquiries is more complex and difficult (and some times
not possible). But worth trying, even a little. JAY.
JAY LEMKE.
City University of New York.
BITNET: JLLBC who-is-at CUNYVM
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