Gary Fenstermacher argued some time ago that there is no causal relationship between teaching and learning. The flawed idea that if, as a teacher I teach, that this is somehow translated into student performance must be replaced by something more appropriate to the way learning actually takes place. It is important to note that Fenstermacher does not imply that there is no relationship between teaching and learning, far from it. Rather, the relationship is not causal but reciprocal. If teachers don't teach then students never have a chance at learning. What teachers are responsible for is teaching.
- Creating inviting and energetic classrooms
- Planning lessons so as to invite students into the learning process
- Knowing what they are talking about (content knowledge is important)
- Knowing how to teach (so is professional knowledge)
- Executing plans in such a way so as to help students focus on the task(s) at hand
In all this students also have a significant responsibility--students must student. But what does it mean to student? What must students do in order to learn? Well, they must be engaged fully in the experience of learning. They must be willing participants in the process. They must do the work asked of them--reading, writing and so on as serious exercises leading toward the construction of new knowledge.
If teachers fail to teach it is likely that students will not student. But, if teachers do teach there is no guarantee that students will learn. Learning only occurs when students desire that which is being taught. If, for whatever reason, students see little value in the work of the classroom then they tend not to engage in that work. If they fail to engage in the work of the classroom then it is likely that no significant learning will take place.
As we begin a new school year the idea of focusing on assigning appropriate responsibility to teachers and students is something to think about.
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