Me too. Once you know what to look for we kind of stand out. (grin)

Dave

d

Diana,

You and me both. Part of my job is trying to anticipate needs and problems and have solutions in place when they’re needed. But the latest project I’m working on has shown me very clearly that I can’t give information to people until they think they need it.

Have you ever taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test? I get the impression you’re strong on the J axis.

Dave

But you’re right. Students don’t learn any faster if teachers are proactive. The students have to want to understand something first. Otherwise, I can talk ’til I’m blue in the face and give them reference material and correct them but until they care, it’s all wasted effort.

It’s a bit sad to me, really, that this is how it works (at least in regards to things they’ve already learned WRONG). If I start telling them something they’ve never heard, I have their full attention and God forbid–so to speak–I get anything wrong, because someone someday will have to fight to undo the damage I’m doing.

Frightening thought. I do my best to make sure that what I’m teaching them is right, of course, but I ain’t perfect, neither.

d

I tip my hat to you for finding a way to make your dream job even dreamier.

(Now there’s a word I never thought I’d use.)

It makes perfect sense. You’re right; most of the students don’t care beyond the grade and the few who do probably already have a clue where they went wrong, and will ask if it’s important to them.

Isn’t it great how much easier life can be when you quit trying to be proactive? Being prepared is one thing, but there’s no reason to do work that doesn’t add any value.

Dave