In this interview with Michael Zwaagstra, author of A Sage on the Stage: Common Sense Reflections on Teaching and Learning (John Catt Educational), you’ll hear about some of the fads that are shortchanging students, and the evidence that debunks them. Zwaagstra challenges the notion that teachers should “get out of the way” and let students learn things for themselves, instead, advocating for an approach where teachers exercise their expertise and share their substantial content knowledge with students. He doesn’t argue that teachers should do all the talking in classrooms, but does state that teachers should be in charge of leading the learning process, and describes a thriving classroom environment as one that is orderly, structured, and where students understand the expectations.
As you listen to the interview, consider Zwaagstra’s perspectives, along with the reflection questions below, and think about how they match up with your own experience:
• Were you surprised to hear that there’s no evidence to support the existence of different “learning styles?” With this in mind, how might you adjust the teaching strategies in your school?
• “Is there evidence that this is going to improve learning?” This is the number one question leaders should ask themselves when deciding whether or not to purchase a new technology, according to Zwaagstra. Have you consistently applied this question to your purchasing decisions? What other questions should leaders be asking?
• Are there any other education beliefs, not mentioned in the interview, that you believe are myths that should be debunked? Based on your experience, why have you come to view these ideas as myths?
Learn more about Michael Zwaagstra’s book, A Sage on the Stage, and more great John Catt Educational publications, by visiting us.johncattbookshop.com
Related reading
More on Teaching Strategies
