Learn How to Teach (wasRe: teaching)

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 3/3/04 7:58:37 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
2738540@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:


> the secret to teaching is to stay connected
> >  to that-- don't ever give the student too much at once...just enough to
> >  keep him/her connected to the joy (of learning and exploration) and not 
> so
> >  much information (even out of generosity) that he/she gets overwhelmed.
> 
> 
> So how do you go about doing this?  I'm a rotten teacher of harmonica. I
> know too much and I'm unable to discern what's reasonable to impart to a
> given individual.  I just start talking and don't shut up.  

The awareness that you just start talking and don't shut up is where you 
begin. This is a personal growth issue that is fun to tackle while giving lessons 
- - two birds w/one stone.

Learn to watch the student, especially the eyes. You will develop the ability 
to tell when the eyes are clear and sparkling, (meaning student is 
wideopenandreceptive), and when the eyes become cloudy and distant, (meaning you've lost 
the thread). When you lose the student w/words, pause, and ask the student to 
repeat what he just heard you say, or to play what he thinks is the concept. 
Now the student is backwithyouandactivelyparticipating, rather than a captive 
audience with a set of ears for you to talk at.

The Iceman