There is no virtue nor wisdom in an attempt to eschew the established practices and opinions of others, even if we do not agree. We can, and should, learn from all whose work in educational theories can contribute to the praxis of expanding minds through effective facilitating, or training, as the case may be. This page provides connections to a few of the many educators who have influenced my journey, and will continue to do so.
Robert M. Gagné
The Nine Steps are a hybrid between a checklist and a road map that guide the teacher's way. From the rallying cry to setting expectations, delivering material, leveraging students' experiences and evaluating results, Gagné organizes the conversation for best results. Awareness and execution of each step improves the odds that the time spent in the classroom will be maximized for both the teacher and students. More on Step 1, Gain Attention, in My Work, Academic.
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John Dewey
You can't talk about Dewey without the word "experience" inserting itself into the conversation. The way I teach is a result of my experience, and the way my learners react is a result of theirs. Dewey was a big proponent of recognizing and reacting to the impact of each of these conditions. If we, as teachers, cannot recognize that our experiences shape us (and our paradigms) as well as recognizing the same is true of our students, the ability to teach effectively will be impaired. See more in My Work, Academic.
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Donald Kirkpatrick
More than half a century ago, Kirkpatrick published his thoughts on ways to evaluate training programs. It is a testimony to his efforts that his ideas are still valued today. Starting at the base, the Learner must be engaged, (embracing the material helps); next is actually absorbing what's taught, then observing an actual change in behavior directly related to the training. Last is seeing a positive financial result to the organization that is attributable to training. For my version of a Level 1 survey, see My Work, Academic.
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