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Stunning video on learner autonomy, peer learning
April 6th, 2006
by Cleve
Via Eide Neurolearning Blog, this video clip (worth every one of the 14 minutes) says it all.
I started to take notes of the most inspiring parts, but it would have just been a transcript of the entire video.
And talk about serendipidy: I had just an hour before posted asking for case studies of learner-centered approaches and assessment outcomes.
What are teachers for?
August 3rd, 2005
by Cleve
Strong post from AJ over at Effortless Language Acquisition. Bottom line:
The honest truth is that (especially above the intermediate level) teachers and classes aren’t necessary. Therefore, the only honorable purpose I can claim is this:My job is to help students break their dependence on teachers and school. My job is to help them learn how to learn English… on their own. My job is to help them become autonomous learners.
The whole post is worth a read. BE teaching with its smaller groups and individual classes should exempt most teachers from this level of frustration, but the overall conclusion is about the same. Two other thoughts:
First, it’s great to see fearless “action research” like this. Here’s a teacher reflecting on what’s happening in the classroom, and concluding that…it’s a waste of time. I love the lack of complacency.
Second, in BE we can integrate performance support into our teaching, and add value that way. So maybe we can say that as BE teachers our primary roles are fostering learner autonomy and performance coaching?