Despite having been an educator for such a long time, I still test out new methods and information whenever I get the opportunity.
Which means that, if you've ever been in my classroom, lecture theatre, webinar, or similar setting, there's a very high probability that I conducted some kind of experiment on you.
Don't worry, you weren't being bombarded with gamma rays or breathing in odourless chemicals I infused into the air.
It was more likely a test to see how you would react to a certain way of delivery, a new activity, or a new way of conducting an established activity.
I approach it the way a stand-up comedian approaches new material that he/she has written - basically, test it until you know whether to keep it or dump it.
And I've dumped a whole lot more material than I've kept.
So, this is to say thank you for allowing me to test them out on you, and for participating (albeit mostly unknowingly - oops!) in my experiments. ;)
Learning in a Safe Space is Important. Both for the Teacher and the Student.
"Of course you know the answer, you're the teacher."
I've been told this many times over the course of my work as an educator, almost as a sort of protest against my "difficult questions".
The thing is, when I probe further, my learners often know at least some part of the answer.
It makes me wonder why they aren't willing to offer what they already know, even as a partial answer.
There is the obvious fear of ridicule, cultivated through a system that sees failures as wholly bad and celebrates only the best successes.
Which means that they don't yet feel safe to try.
Though the time I usually have with my learners is short, hours compared to the years they've been in 'the system', I'm constantly trying to improve the speed and efficacy at which I can make my learning spaces safe for them.
I've managed to shorten it to an average of just over 2 sessions of about 1.5 - 2 hours, which means they will have spent about 3 - 4 hours with me before we start feeling comfortable with each other.
I used to need at least 3 sessions (about 6 hours) before I get to this point, but experience is a great teacher.
And I'm determined to learn from her as much as I possibly can.