Will a good learner (a student) make a good teacher?
To answer this question, I will tell you five stories of some notable race horse sires.
Northern Dancer is a name of a very influential thoroughbred race horse sire. And he was a very good race horse himself, winning some notable races. One of which is the prestigious Kentucky Derby. His descendants are passing along his greatness by dominating some important races even long after he's passed away.
Aside from Northern Dancer, a larger than life race horse is Secretariat. Many think him the greatest race horse of all time. Wining the triple crown, the highest achievement of thoroughbred racing in the US, is one of his legendary legacies. He sires around 600 foals, but only few managed to be good runners.
Another famous figure for his inspirational efforts during his racing era, Seabiscuit, made some memorable accomplishments on the race track, but none of his descendants is at his caliber.
The fourth of all is Mr. Prospector. He didn't show exceptional performances in his career as a race horse, but did in his siring one. He's definitely a good sire. Many of his offspring are good runners.
Lastly, Suffi Dancer didn't show so much talent both at the race track and breeding shed. He seemed to posses difficulties to produce good descendants.
Teachers at the same way can be explained through this concept.
Let's assume that the ability to run in race horses is equal to the ability to learn or study in human. Good race horses measured by the number of victories and earnings are comparable to good learners measured through many different tools, the favorite is of course grade. Meanwhile, the ability to produce good decedents or good runners are equivalent to the ability to teach, making some good learners successful.
Often times, we see the Northern Dancer type of teacher. S/he is a good learner himself and can make more learners (students) successful. Or else we find Secretariat type, a good teacher for limited number of learners.
At some points of time, we meet the Seabiscuit type of teacher. He's a good learner, but can hardly produce 'quality' students. Or maybe, we once encountered the Mr. Prospector type of teacher, S/he is (or was) not a successful learner, but makes a good teacher. Having him teach, students show a good progress and grades. And meeting Suffi Dancer type of teacher might be the experience for some.
The teacher-and-sire concept seems to work tremendously in child education. Young learners seem to be looking for the guidance. Guidance and teaching are like gene for them. It's the blueprint that will determine their future success as learners.
The question that arises is whether this is applicable in adult education?
If the race horse sire concept does apply in adult education, then there is no difference between adult and child education. The 'gene' of the sire factor (read: teacher) plays a major role. However, if it does not, then the factor does not make any significance.
Please note that this article is not to humiliate teaching profession by comparing it to an animal, horse.
To answer this question, I will tell you five stories of some notable race horse sires.
Northern Dancer is a name of a very influential thoroughbred race horse sire. And he was a very good race horse himself, winning some notable races. One of which is the prestigious Kentucky Derby. His descendants are passing along his greatness by dominating some important races even long after he's passed away.
Aside from Northern Dancer, a larger than life race horse is Secretariat. Many think him the greatest race horse of all time. Wining the triple crown, the highest achievement of thoroughbred racing in the US, is one of his legendary legacies. He sires around 600 foals, but only few managed to be good runners.
Another famous figure for his inspirational efforts during his racing era, Seabiscuit, made some memorable accomplishments on the race track, but none of his descendants is at his caliber.
The fourth of all is Mr. Prospector. He didn't show exceptional performances in his career as a race horse, but did in his siring one. He's definitely a good sire. Many of his offspring are good runners.
Lastly, Suffi Dancer didn't show so much talent both at the race track and breeding shed. He seemed to posses difficulties to produce good descendants.
Teachers at the same way can be explained through this concept.
Let's assume that the ability to run in race horses is equal to the ability to learn or study in human. Good race horses measured by the number of victories and earnings are comparable to good learners measured through many different tools, the favorite is of course grade. Meanwhile, the ability to produce good decedents or good runners are equivalent to the ability to teach, making some good learners successful.
Often times, we see the Northern Dancer type of teacher. S/he is a good learner himself and can make more learners (students) successful. Or else we find Secretariat type, a good teacher for limited number of learners.
At some points of time, we meet the Seabiscuit type of teacher. He's a good learner, but can hardly produce 'quality' students. Or maybe, we once encountered the Mr. Prospector type of teacher, S/he is (or was) not a successful learner, but makes a good teacher. Having him teach, students show a good progress and grades. And meeting Suffi Dancer type of teacher might be the experience for some.
The teacher-and-sire concept seems to work tremendously in child education. Young learners seem to be looking for the guidance. Guidance and teaching are like gene for them. It's the blueprint that will determine their future success as learners.
The question that arises is whether this is applicable in adult education?
If the race horse sire concept does apply in adult education, then there is no difference between adult and child education. The 'gene' of the sire factor (read: teacher) plays a major role. However, if it does not, then the factor does not make any significance.
Please note that this article is not to humiliate teaching profession by comparing it to an animal, horse.
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