Teaching in a Clockwise Fashion

Teaching is a skill or experience that requires constant refinenment. There are some basics, however, to keep in mind that will enhance the effectiveness of the teacher's delivery. We can liken this to teaching in a "clockwise fashion" because it is a continual process or cycle that the teacher and student use to build upon known vs new concepts, skills or techniques. Here are two tips teachers can use to improve the effectiveness of classroom delivery:

Begin with what the student knows. Learning will move foward much faster when the teacher builds on what the student already knows, or does. Begin teaching by comparing the old, or known information or process with the new, unknown one. By doing this the student will grasp the new information more quickly.

Move from simple to complex concepts. Not only will the student grasp the concepts more quickly but the learning experience will be more positive and rewarding if he, or she, has the opportunity to master the simple concepts or proceses first and then apply these to the more complex ones. Remember, however, that what one student finds simple may be more complex to another. A teacher must make a careful assessement of the student's backgrounds and current skill sets to take these differences into account and to plan the appropriate starting point in the learning session.

Planning a teaching session requires the teacher to carefully evaluate not only the material to be presented, but the abilities and backgrounds of each of the students or participants. It is important that everyone participating starts together with a common knowledge base before they can take new, simple concepts that can be melded into more complex ones. A good teacher will be aware of this process and take care to ensure that the lesson plan accounts for everyone's unique needs and differences.

Copyright M. A. Webb, 2005. All Rights Reserved.

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