A teaching secret #meded

Recently, I participated in a panel discussion.  During the discussion I stressed the importance of humility in teaching.  I challenged the teachers to ask their learners questions about the topic they taught the previous week.  If the learners did not remember the lesson, the teacher should take responsibility.  Our job is to induce learning. We can give a brilliant talk on a subject, but if the learners do not absorb the lesson, then we have not succeeded.  The purpose of teaching is helping the learners. Too often early in my career I had pride in my ability to lecture in small groups and large groups.  I misunderstood the learning process.  I assumed that my brilliance (tongue firmly in cheek) would translate into great learning. Now, having embraced teaching humility, I understand that the learning process has great complexity.  Often after I give a crystal clear explanation, a learner will ask for clarification.  I have learned that learning is much more difficult than lecturing. If you teach, check with your learners periodically to see if the can remember your lessons.  Once you learn that often they do not, start practicing repetition.  If at first you do not succeed ….
Source: DB's Medical Rants - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Attending Rounds Source Type: blogs