Not so much about teaching more about learning.

I have frequently mentioned teaching on this blog and a few times remembered my experience of learning. How closely those two are linked, the actions and methods of the teacher can affect the process of learning. Of course, it is equally true that the behaviour and attitude of the student can affect the teaching process.

I watched a programme on television the other evening where an art tutor was instructing a group of artists. I almost instantly knew that I would never learn from the methods or instruction of this teacher. It seems that many of the artists before him did not grasp it either because in the next task none of them adopted anything of the lesson taught.

There are some wonderful lessons to be learned from the interaction between the student and the teacher. it is, of course, imperative that there is a relationship that would enable such learning.

A Chinese boy who wanted to learn about jade went to study with a talented old teacher and sage.

At the first meeting of the two, the sage put a piece of the stone into the youth's hand and told him to hold it tight. Then he began to talk of philosophy, men, women, the sun, and almost everything under it. After an hour he took back the stone and sent the boy home. 

The procedure was repeated for weeks. The boy became frustrated, when would he be told about jade?  He was too polite to interrupt his venerable teacher., and more importantly, held him in high respect. This old man had much to teach he had much to learn he would trust in the process.

Then one day when the old man put a stone into his hands, the boy cried out instantly, "That's not jade!" 

Lesson learned.

Learning usually passes through three states. 

In the beginning, you learn the right answers. 

In the second state, you learn the right questions. 

In the third and final stage, you learn which questions are worth asking and when to keep silent and say nothing.

There is a great deal of truth in the old saying, "You do not learn anything the second time you are kicked by a mule. " The lesson ought to have been learned the first time.

All learning takes place when two people have a burning desire to achieve their ambition, one to teach and one to learn.

To end on a lighter note I learned a wonderful lesson yesterday. Every golfer should always carry an extra pair of trousers in his golf bag. Why? Just in case he gets a hole in one. Yes, the old ones are always the best. 

Have a wonderful day.