Would You Rather…

Author: admin

15 Oct

I’m taking a little blog break (don’t cry!) but I will be back at the beginning of next week. While I’m gone, I thought it would be fun to get a discussion going here. I’m hoping that you will consider the question I am about to ask, leave a comment, check back all week to see what others say, and comment again if you have any further thoughts! You know, a discussion! Here is the question:

Would you rather…

have a student who understands new concepts right away… but has no enthusiasm for music

have a student who takes half the lesson time trying to understand a new concept and has to continually be reminded of that concept… but is SO excited about music

?????

I know students cannot be classified solely into these two categories, but in my short time teaching, I’ve worked with both kinds.

Pros of the first kind: they are easy to teach. I can move quickly and don’t waste time. Cons: they can be so hard to motivate. Or they think they know everything and don’t listen to me!

Pros of the second kind: they are so fun to teach! They get excited about everything new and they want to learn learn learn! Cons: It can sometimes take soooo long to teach a concept that I start to get frustrated wondering how to help them understand.

Like I said, students can’t be classified solely into these two categories, but of the two categories, which do you prefer? Leave your comments and please keep coming back to see what others think!

Filed under: Thoughts

5 Responses for "Would You Rather…"

Natalie Wickham October 15th, 2008 at 10:50 pm 1
The second option, hands down. Like you, I’ve had both kinds of students and I continually find that students with God-given talent but no character usually don’t make it as far as those who struggle to grasp concepts, but develop the character (enthusiasm, diligence, determination, etc.) that enables them to progress steadily. Of course I’d really rather have both wrapped into one student – learns quickly *and* is enthusiastic.
Ruth October 16th, 2008 at 6:55 pm 2
What good is enthusiasm, if it is not productive and what good is understanding, if there is no joy? Good questions. Perhaps this question can only be answered with time. given enough time, the enthusiastic student may indeed lose that enthusiasm when learning becomes so tiresome, and the un-enthused student, may hit a point in their learning that they “turn on”, since they understand what they are trying to do. It takes all kinds of learners to make teaching the challenge that it is. That is why we do it , isn’t it?
AwtemNymf October 18th, 2008 at 1:26 pm 3
Tough question… too bad you can’t cut half of it and put the 2 goods together *winks*
I’d say the one with passion for music!
:O)
~A~
Sandra Evertson October 19th, 2008 at 9:12 pm 4
The piano watch below is Fabulous!
Happy Halloween!
Sandra
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