The Tao of Teaching: Part 4
This article is part of a series of writings on Greta Nagel’s book The Tao of Teaching: The Ageless Wisdom of Taoism and the Art of Teaching. The goal of this series is to promote discourse on topics related to teaching, classroom management, student-centered learning and other progressive educational methods. Utilizing the enlightenment and wisdom offered in this book as an impetus and guide, I will critically reflect on my own teaching practices and connect my own experiences to the anecdotes and examples provided by Nagel. You can read Part 3 of this series here.
Check out The Tao of Teaching here.
Learn more about Greta Nagel here.
Do Not Be Authoritarian
Find ways for students to have power over what they learn, how they learn it, and to examine and reflect upon what they have done. — The Tao of Teaching
At the center of Taoism is harmony with the way, the path, the Tao. A common symbol associated with the Tao is the yin-yang, which represents the complementary, interconnected balance of nature.
As an educator moves from a traditional, teacher-centered learning environment to one that is more student-centered, the locus of control is shifted. This requires a more democratic, balanced organization to learning. In my experience, an ultimate goal of a student-centered classroom is for students to take control of their own learning in order to make learning more meaningful and effective.
This does not mean that the instructor or facilitator does not exercise any control in the classroom. Rather control and direction of learning is shared by all members or players in the learning environment. As Nagel says:
“Wise teachers have authority but do not choose to be authoritarian.”
Along with this, it is important for an educator in this type of environment to exercise fairness and equality among and between all involved learners. A teacher must be impartial — no one learner is more important than another. Reach out to find empathy for all.
The essence of the Tao is flexible and changing. It does not wear out with use. The same is true for learning. As a classroom becomes more democratic, balanced and in harmony with the Tao, our view of learning itself also begins to change.
Most, if not all, of us have probably had experience with learning in a very teacher-centered and controlled type of classroom. In this model, the learning is primarily externally controlled. Students are directed to learn specific skills and information that is laid out by a teacher, a textbook or a board of education. As well as being extremely one-directional, this method of learning and education can also be very limiting.
In a more student-centered or student-directed model, learning is more flexible and flows in many directions. Learners learn from instructors. Instructors learn from learners. Learners learn from other learners. Additionally, this type of learning lifts or at least reduces a lot of barriers to learning and increases the likelihood of creating a desire to continue learning. It promotes lifelong learning. Consider Nagel’s words:
“When interesting topics arise, the Tao allows for them to be explored, for the class is not inextricably bound to someone else’s schedules or someone else’s ideas about what must be taught at every moment.”
Below is a video I recently posted as part of a project I completed during my path towards earning my Master’s of Education degree. In it, I discuss a shift in my view of learning and education. When educators relinquish control and abandon an authoritarian view of education, learning becomes flexible, democratic and lifelong.
Provide guidance but do not expect students to rely on you. — The Tao of Teaching
Teachers should think of their students, their needs and motivations first. The teacher’s interests are not unimportant, but should not come first. The design of the instruction is led by the needs of the learners.
Nagel gives an example of a classroom of young learners, in which a group of students bring to class some salamanders that they found in the park. The next several weeks are heavily centered on studying and learning about these salamanders. This occurrence directed the design of the instruction. In the end, through investigation and learning, the students discover that the salamanders must be returned to nature if they are to survive. The teacher knows this all along but sets the students along a course of learning to discover this for themselves.
A teacher need not insist that students rely on them, but rather they help students find ways to be self-reliant. — The Tao of Teaching
…next time in The Tao of Teaching: Do Not See Things in Black and White
