Chapter 2: Core Assumptions of Skillful Teaching

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In Chapter 2 of Brookfield's book "The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust, and Responsiveness in the Classroom", he lists his four core assumptions about skillful teaching.

After reading this chapter twice, here are my thoughts on each assumption:

1. Skillful teaching is whatever helps students learn.

This assumption reminds me of Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences; not all students learn the same way. Brookfield encourages us be open to different approaches even though it may be unconventional, counter-intuitive and feels "unprofessional". As long whatever we do helps the students learn, it is encouraged!

2. Skillful teaching adopt a critically reflective stance towards their practice.

I need to constantly reflect on my practices, whether I am teaching in the best way possible. I should not be either constantly praising or criticizing myself without action. I need to be critical about my teaching practices and examine the cause-effect relationship between my teaching and my students' learning, and adjust my teaching accordingly. 

3. The most important knowledge that skillful teachers need to do good work is a constant awareness of how students are experiencing their learning and perceiving teachers' actions.

Knowing my students' perspective of how I am teaching and the progression of the course itself is essential! Brookfield uses Critical Incident Questionnaire (CIQ) to regularly get data from his students as the course progresses. This reminds me of Social Cognitive Theory where one requires feedback from the environment in order to adjust behaviour. Without the feedback from my students, I cannot improve my teaching practices!

4. College students of any age should be treated as adults.

This assumption is interesting, it points out that young adults just out of highschool may not yet be demonstrating adult behaviour. I need to treat all my college students like adults, even when their actions show they are not yet fully adult. Alot of 18-22 year olds are still be in the process of transforming into responsible adults that take their learning seriously. They will learn how to be adults by being treated like adults.

 © Roger Desmarais, 2022