Expert does not always mean "knows everything"
A teacher who believes that she has to know all about the subject matter would have difficulty in class.
There are a lot of things to learn from the students. The new technologies make it a lot easier for students to research on the subject matter. I enjoy the discussions and sharing if students want to add new information during discussions.
I always tell my students that they are lucky to have all this new technologies because it helps expand their knowledge at the convenience of their home or classrooms.
Also, students do not get bored because they navigate thru different topics and also prepare them to be resourceful people when they are out there in the real world.
I encourage students to open the Medicare, Medicaid, and other websites so they can get the latest updates.
Students can be creative. It makes the class more fun and interactive with the new ideas students bring to the class.
This is so true and I always explain to my students that this is a learning adventure for all of us and to bring anything that learn or discover to our discussion boards as I am always learning and we celebrate a student who brings a new idea to the board. Life is all about learning from one another and the classroom is the same!
William,
yes & to me this is where the importance of experience comes in. We can take that new information & share experiences in how it would relate to real life situations.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I have to comment that in the Veterinary Technology field this is especially true. Even in the last few years, the knowledge base, best practices, standard of care, core competencies, etc has changed so drastically that the available literature (textbooks, instructional aids, etc) that I was exposed to in school is now technically out dated. My students are constantly asking questions about new drugs, treatment protocols, and nursing interventions; They teach me more about the field I teach in than I believe I ever wanted to know. I, just like my students, have made a commitment to lifetime learning; this is the definition of that promise.
I believe that the key to success is how we as educators respond to the students' commentary on best practices and seriously consider their point of view. They have to feel ownership in their education, and if they can feel as though their opinion is entertained or even adopted, then at that point they will feel a bond to their profession as contributing members therein.
Thomas,
yes it is important to demonstrate to our students that we are staying current in our reading & encouraging them to do likewise.
Dr. Ryan Meers
I agree, giving your students tips on literature to read is always a great idea. A lot of my students will also ask me if I have read a particular book or downloaded a PDF file. I also let my students know that certain types of literature is still not available in digital form.
Having conversations with the students covering the topics covered in technical manuals and other resource literature, will rouse the curiosity of the students within earshot. More questions get asked and the search for wisdom goes on.
I also do not believe that an expert knows everything, because it practices change so very often. I do believe the expert (In the best sense of the word) has experience and wisdom to assist their own and their students' travel through the myriad of information available. My job is to help the student sort through the information and sometimes make sense of it with an eye of an experienced clinician. This is not to say that the student does not have a wealth of life experience to draw on and to contribute as well as to teach me a thing or two. I see teaching as a two way street. I love and learn as much from my students as they learn from me.
Sharron,
You make a tremendous point here & this is key to education. We must encourage students to challenge assumptions & therefore to learn more.
Ryan
Saying that “expert†means the person knows everything there is to know about a subject is a little blatant. No one can know everything about even their special subject. There is always more to learn about anything. It’s also good to remember that knowledge expands and grows and sometimes implodes. I have heard it said that everything that was considered ‘fact’ in the medical field 200 years ago is now been proven false. We make so many wrong assumptions. Even Einstein’s Theory of Relativity was brought up short this week when researchers claimed that they have discovered particles that move faster than the speed of light. Einstein was bright enough to realize that his was only a theory. Research, in most cases, can indicate a tendency, but will always find exceptions which prove their fallibility as fact. At the same time, there are so many ancient folklores and remedies that are beginning to be recognized as possibilities. I think that anyone who thinks they have all the answers is impeding education, the student’s as well as their own. Students come up with some fabulous interpretations and discoveries. We also need to encourage this because discovery adds excitement to learning.
It's important to let students know that sometimes "knowing where to go to find the answers" is the best technique to let you deal with the myriad of issues that come up. With computer technology and how fast it changes, there are known issues and unknown ones, as yet to be discovered. Know where to search for lists of known issues from the manufacturer helps, as do forums where you can post questions and seek outside help.
Then there are the manuals, whether in physical book form or electronic versions that are searchable for key words. Both of these are useful.
I have found that the students' questions often take our discussions to other topics, in a very fun and interative way. Thus facilitating their own learning.
This is especially true in nursing. I tell the students to become familiar with nursing publications and nursing websites because what is considered "best practice" today may not be "best practice" next month or even next week. Nursing researchers are always looking, and finding better ways to practice nursing and it is essential to be aware of changes and innovations. It is impossible to be "the expert" in every realm of nursing practice - and sometimes because of the experiences of the students, the students bring anecdotes and experiences to enhance the lesson.
Well said. I agree on all aspects shared.
I do agree. Students appreciate the instructor who will allow student buy-in. I have also learned that students appreciates when a question is asked, the Instructor takes the time to research the question and follow-up with the answer in the next class session. The instructor's behavior encourages student participation and increase learning skills
I've recently been teaching a class for our HVAC program. As I may know enough about the science subject to teach it, I know very little or really nothing at all about the HVAC field. I often times ask questions about the subject at hand to have them give me examples of how this material can relate to them in their career. This makes them feel more important because they do feel like they are teaching me something.
A teacher who involves the knowlege of adult learners adds greatly to the learning experience of all.
When students are involved through questions you will almost always be surprised by the knowlege in the classroom.
I've learned more things from my students in the last five years than I thought possible. Not only have I learned technological information, I've learned by asking them questions about a variety of subjects to help them feel connected. When they realize their answers and ideas count, they truly feel a part of the class. Even if their answers are not correct, I respond in a positive way, usually with questions to keep them engaged.
Another strategy I've learned is if I'm wrong, admit it. If I don't know the answer, I tell them I don't know and it has helped in my credibility as well as trust from the students.
There shouldnot be any facilitator believing that they know everything on a topic. There is always room for more knowledge. With this mind set the teacher limits the go to places(websites,libraries) for more information with there students.
