Good and bad learning and a nice video!

Here are my examples of good and bad learning experiences, both are from my Masters in scriptwriting. One from a truly inspirational tutor and one from someone who (shall we just say) wasn't.

 

Good teacher:

 

This really inspirational tutor had a solid theoretical background - knew what he was talking about and very knowledgeable about the subject - though not condescending and always willing to suggest further areas to research.

• He encouraged the class research topics on their own and present this research to the others in the class.
• He marked our homework and got it back on time - when he said he would.
• He was always on time and friendly.
• He challenged us and got the best out of us.
• Though he wrote plays himself he was never a know-it-all and he was able to transfer his wide knowledge of drama to the students.
• We all looked forwards to our classes with this tutor, and lots of us are still in touch with him.

What was key about him was: He made learning fun; Was totally knowledgeable about his subject; The key point I think was able to transfer that knowledge, so we felt we had learned something; And he was a really nice guy.

In contrast,
Bad teacher:
This tutor had it all going for her on paper. She had written a really fine play, had taught writing in schools and prison - but she had no idea how to share her knowledge with us and often didn't bother.

• She let her personal life drive her lessons. If she'd had a bad day, we'd all know about it.
• She seemed to be an instinctive writer, who had no technical or theoretical knowledge of writing, so wasn't able to teach us these things.
• She would not read half of the class' assigments each week, so that you only got feedback on your writing every second week. She gave the impression she was too busy.
• She was moody and unapproachable - if your writing did not strike a chord with her she would heavily criticise it, making several of the class cry (and this is adults).
• She did exactly the same thing each lesson. We were bored of it and she obviously was.    
• She did not display a deep knowledge of writing or reading.

What was key about her: She made the atmosphere so unpleasant we dreaded going to her lessons; She didn't know any theory so wasn't able to actually teach us about the subject; She didn't bother reading half of our assignments each week, so why bother doing them?; She allowed her personal life to leech into the classroom. We all thought she was very unprofessional.

 

Video

And on a lighter note - if you want to see my poetry intervention around Medway, 'Poetrymon' - click here!

 

(Sam)