Term 2-00
Teaching and Learning in 2000
In an editorial I have written for the first college course guide for the year 2000 I have mused on what might be the opportunities to learn in the new century. As a century is a bit long for me personally, I have thought about what I would like to learn in the coming decade, the choices open to me have never been greater. The variety of experiences and the places and times at which I can learn seem almost endless. This, if anything, will become a norm. Learning will be more flexible, more integrated and more relevant in the new century. The idea of learning events scheduled in blocks throughout our lives will at some time soon finally be committed to the scrap heap of what was. Schools, Universities, TAFE Colleges, Community Colleges will become seamless with the workplace and all aspects of our lives. Learning will be ever present and highly valued by Organisations, Communities and Governments.
This will of course have a major impact on us as teachers. New modes of teaching will become more prevalent. In fact, I think the word “teaching” will begin to be used less. This is because the emphasis will shift to “learning”.
As teachers, many of us will comprehend this instinctively. We know that by teaching, we learn. By reflecting we begin to understand. Perhaps therefore, good teaching is more learning and less about teaching.
In the new century, teaching and learning will be about grappling with what we don’t know. Finding ways of understanding the breadth of our knowledge, skills and attributes by assessment and embedded in that assessment will be learning.
Confused? It’s simple really. By finding out what we know, we understand what we don’t know. By understanding what we don’t know, we can design learning to suit our needs.
The challenges here are enormous. For teachers this means adopting a “Just for You” approach to teaching and many of the old teaching techniques wont do any more.
The introduction and growth of the Internet is another challenge to traditional learning. There is not much that can’t be got from the Internet in one form or another. Teachers cannot expect that this will not challenge their position in the classroom. By drawing in the Internet as a teaching aid, teachers will be able to effectively harness what is the greatest revolution in learning since the Guttenberg Press.
As teachers, we must continue to focus on learning and reflection on that learning. In this way, our classrooms will be relevant, interesting and alive whether between four walls or somewhere in the ether.
Thank you for all of your dedication and good work during the last year. Good luck and good learning in the next.
Garry John Traynor
Principal
garry.traynor@scc.nsw.edu.au
The views expressed in this editorial are those of the author.
