Jun 17 2012: (Continue) I still remember a report said that “China’s best schools may produce the world’s best test-takers, but the United States’ best schools produce the world’s most creative talent.” Even though, I hate to admit it but it really react the difference between this two countries. In my country, students learn through memorization. Teacher enjoys a very high reputation and student believes that what he/she says or does is always the truth. In American education, however, much emphasis is placed on problem solving and discussion. Students are taught to think for themselves. The role of the teacher is to stimulate their thinking, to get them to ask questions, challenge and even argue with the teacher and come to their own conclusions. This is why I like American education better.
Furthermore, we still need traditional teaching tools such as textbook, homework and exam. Isaac Newton said that he saw further than others because he stood on the shoulder of giants. So we need read the textbook to learn what we don’t know and then explore the unknown. Moreover, we cannot be an armchair strategist. We need to turn our knowledge learned from the textbook and others into practice, and we need a way to test it. That is why we still need homework and exam.
Jun 17 2012: To entirely explore this question, I divide this topic into two parts. The first part is reformation of the classroom design, and the second part is innovation of teaching.
The classroom is a space for student to learn, to meet, to think. U-shape is one of the ideal classrooms that gives student a lot of inspires and emphasize the position of teacher/professor simultaneously. Student can discuss with each other face to face, and teacher is more freely to move and help them.
I am taking professor Gaunt’s Anthropology class this summer, and she is the most understanding, creative and friendly professor I’ve ever met. She is trying to encourage student to be the consumer of their own productivity by saying that “Hello, great ones” in the beginning of every class. It really helps students to have good start of a day and value themselves. On the other side, I like this small classroom for a summer course, and we did a lot of communications during class. Without doubt, it is the best way to meet new people and expand our social network. I had a lot of class which professor only focused on lecture, so I did know anyone after finished the whole semester. Prof G. uses Facebook, email and other NetTools to keep in touch with student, and she said she prefers student to text massage to her, so she can respond us as soon as possible. According to my personally experience, there are only few professors/teachers would like students to disrupt their private lives. Therefore, I can say professor Gaunt is the unique! She really cares about student, not only their grade but also their future!
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A comment on Conversation: How does the status quo design of student - faculty interactions diminish innovation in the classroom? How to hack higher ed?
Furthermore, we still need traditional teaching tools such as textbook, homework and exam. Isaac Newton said that he saw further than others because he stood on the shoulder of giants. So we need read the textbook to learn what we don’t know and then explore the unknown. Moreover, we cannot be an armchair strategist. We need to turn our knowledge learned from the textbook and others into practice, and we need a way to test it. That is why we still need homework and exam.
A comment on Conversation: How does the status quo design of student - faculty interactions diminish innovation in the classroom? How to hack higher ed?
The classroom is a space for student to learn, to meet, to think. U-shape is one of the ideal classrooms that gives student a lot of inspires and emphasize the position of teacher/professor simultaneously. Student can discuss with each other face to face, and teacher is more freely to move and help them.
I am taking professor Gaunt’s Anthropology class this summer, and she is the most understanding, creative and friendly professor I’ve ever met. She is trying to encourage student to be the consumer of their own productivity by saying that “Hello, great ones” in the beginning of every class. It really helps students to have good start of a day and value themselves. On the other side, I like this small classroom for a summer course, and we did a lot of communications during class. Without doubt, it is the best way to meet new people and expand our social network. I had a lot of class which professor only focused on lecture, so I did know anyone after finished the whole semester. Prof G. uses Facebook, email and other NetTools to keep in touch with student, and she said she prefers student to text massage to her, so she can respond us as soon as possible. According to my personally experience, there are only few professors/teachers would like students to disrupt their private lives. Therefore, I can say professor Gaunt is the unique! She really cares about student, not only their grade but also their future!