The Core Assumptions of Skillful Teaching, Stephen D. Brookflield.

I've said it before and shall say it again, I really am enjoying reading Stephen D. Brookfields The Skillful Teacher (2015). In general this book has made me realize I'm not alone with certain struggles that instructors face regularly. I really enjoy the way the author injects so many personal accounts, it creates such a relation to the real practice of instruction. Definitely not a dry, dull textbook for sure!

Chapter Two: The Core Assumptions of Skillful Teaching (Brookfield,2015,p.15) is packed full of food for thought as one reads the four assumptions. Personally I find the assumptions to be good guidelines to best instructional practices. But they really are just that, general guidelines that may or may not work for all students and/or situations. A teaching technique or activity that works for one student could completely confuse or upset an other. But again the assumptions provide a excellent framework for good instructional practices.

My favorite of the four assumptions was number three. "Teachers Need a Constant Awareness of How Students Are Experiencing Their Learning and Perceiving Teachers' Actions",(p.22). I couldn't agree with this more and truly wish all instructors would take the time and effort to be in-tuned with their learners. If an instructor is aware of their students experiences and struggles they can truly do their best to improve their instruction and focus in on the needs of each student. More then that an overall ability to "read the room" or "know your crowd" is an essential element in the classroom. If you are aware and present with your students you should be able to intuitively see what isn't working or needs to change right there in the moment. In example, an early morning class on a dark rainy day. Your students are half asleep and not engaged. Do you continue with your lesson as planned? You know you have what you think is a great day planned. However, if your students are not truly with you there is little chance they will absorb or fully comprehend what you are about to present.  I would detect this overall sense of sleepiness in the room and pull out a trick. Perhaps and icebreaker or game. Maybe some group work activities that gets the students up and moving around, naturally keeping it related to the course. You get the picture? As instructors we have to be so unbelievably adaptable, at any moment circumstances can change right in your room.

All in all the assumptions are very true, the ideal guideline to keeping our instruction authentic and of value to our students. However nothing is written in stone and all rules can be broken.  I really suggest all of you instructors out there grab a copy of this book. I truly have enjoyed it and find it valuable.

                                                               References

Brookfield, S. (2015). The skillful teacher: on technique, trust, and responsiveness in the classroom (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers