The Tao of Teaching: Part 7
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 6 of this series here.
Check out The Tao of Teaching here.
Learn more about Greta Nagel here.
Be Humble; Teach the Wholeness of Things
The best way to begin to understand a concept or idea is in its totality. — The Tao of Teaching
Nagel advises that breaking concepts into smaller parts is not always beneficial and does not necessarily make things easier to understand. Sometimes adding those pieces back up does not equal the orginal, whole learning. She argues that this type of teaching can make learning more complex and less authentic. She recommends:
“When a concept is about to be learned, allow students to experience it in its wholeness before attempting to teach its pieces…Expose students to wide varieties of total experiences before teaching any elements or skills.”
Nagel discusses Joe, the high school teacher. When teaching government, students talk about the concept of government and how everything is related before learning about Congress. In his Philosophy class, he explains that looking for meaning is all about wholeness. His students work to understand a whole person as part of a larger society or family, in their study of Psychology.
Humility on your part enables unity in the classroom. — The Tao of Teaching
Nagel also advises finding ways to relate different things to a common element. By connecting one theme to a variety of activities and lessons, educators can increase eagerness and create natural motivations to explore. Nagel invites teachers to “web learnings with a common focus or theme”. By utilizing one common theme as a vehicle for studying and learning numerous skills, you can produce greater autonomy and choice for learners to perform various tasks, allowing them to explore in greater depth. Nagel states:
“Their investigations, not yours, will bring respect to your program.”
Nagel uses the sixth grade teacher, Maria, as an example. Maria chose the radio as the theme for her semester and was excited about the learning opportunities her students could create. In science, they studied radio waves and how radios function. The students wrote programs for a class radio station, each one with a unique focus on the various talents and interests of the students in the class. In social studies, the students learned of the history of the radio. The class was even given a chance to “air” their radio show over the school intercom once a month. This method of using one common theme results in a very thorough and well-rounded experience. Nagel expounds:
“To achieve oneness is to be fulfilled.”
Along this path of oneness, it is important to ensure a blending of various experiences and activities. Nagel reminds us that:
“Harmony is achieved through a blending of the passive and the active — the yin and the yang.”
Nagel states that students will benefit from a balance between two types of learning experiences. Wise teachers should learn to find a balance between activities that require gathering, sharing and analyzing information (yang) with activities that involve creativity, emotional expression, and personal insight (yin). At times, directed lessons may be necessary in a classroom. Yet it is important to balance this type of learning by also giving students opportunities to construct their own meanings and organize their own ideas through creative experiences.
I incorporate a number of projects into my freshman English courses and work to include a variety of tasks and activities that utilize different methods of learning. I notice that some students do well in more directed settings while others excel in areas where they are allowed to be more creative and choose their own path. It may be important to realize that ensuring a balance of methods and a variety of activities also caters to different learning styles.
Seek contentment. In this way you will benefit others. — The Tao of Teaching
As we discuss the concept of balance, it is also essential for you, the educator, to recognize the need for balance in yourself. Nagel asks educators to remember that the myriad tasks of running a rich and balanced program can be endless. Knowing your limits and priorities is vital to being a successful and effective facilitator of learning and also ensuring that you don’t push yourself beyond what you can personally handle. Set limits to your work day and week. Follow the example of experts around you. Find the best time of day for you to gather resources and plan lessons. Maintain a balance between your professional and personal life. Nagel reminds us:
“Priorities of health or family must not be lost to work, nor should work suffer because of excessive personal commitments. Decide your personal limits and prioritize the things that you must, and want, to do.”
Along with this, Nagel asks the wise teacher to find joy in the simple things in life. The life of an educator does not always afford lavish vacations and exotic pleasures. Finding the balance between professional and personal life may include appreciating the simple pleasures that life affords. Nagel puts it simply:
“Finding the simple aspects of life that give you pleasure is a task that will pay you over and over again.”
Nagel returns to Joe, the high school teacher, who both lives by and encourages in his learner this value. A poster on the wall of his classroom reads, “Live simply, so that others may simply live.” This is an important message that he often incorporates into his lessons. Whether you are an ESL teacher or a corporate trainer, it is both important and possible to weave into your activities, discussions and experiences the promotion of positive life lessons.
Fools are avaricious. There is no “beyond contentment.” — The Tao of Teaching
…next time in The Tao of Teaching: Discipline Yourself Before Trying to Discipline Others
