Difficult and Teaching

The process of learning is an independent event from difficulty. Why is that concept so hard for instructors. Just because you make a course hard doesn't mean more or better learning will take place. In fact, making a course difficult without connection to learning is called hazing and is considered torture in some countries.

There is a triangle of  organization to good learning, like the triangle of combustion, that provides a framework for quality education given a instructor lead event. Now I mention "instructor led" because some have suggested that independent or student centered "group" learning may be more effective than the lecturer/learner model.

But let's assume that the "rules" of engagement for the institution require contact time with the instructor. The triangle suggests that quality education is instructors, connecting students with content in a meaningful way to facilitate understanding and long term learning.

If the teacher can encourage independent exploration of the content, all the better. But when the teacher fails to stimulate the student, fails to connect the student with the knowledge (via lectures, or notes, or books, or whatever), learning fails. I think this is the major weakness of "talk at you" teaching (lectures), but worse with instructors that try to make courses difficult with absolutely no intention beyond making it so. Such is the case with at least one of my classes.

But where this has TRIUMPHED is anatomy. Dr. K is a master of presentation, the content, and connecting the student with the content in a way to stimulate more contact with the material beyond the classroom. That is a gift, and with all the trauma that being an adult learner can bring, kudos are in order for this wonderful man, class and learning experience. I only wish he had taught the other class. I will miss anatomy in many ways beyond the lab exam tomorrow and the lecture (with embryology) next week. It was challenging, difficult in fact, but an amazing learning experience. THANKS!!