About Marilyn Robb Expertise I am an educational psychologist and counsellor, with more ten years of experience in teaching, parenting, running support groups and workshops, teacher training and counselling. I would like to share my knowledge and expertise in issues particularly related to helping children cope with learning and the school experience.
Expert: Marilyn Robb Date: 5/28/2006 Subject: Education Structure
Question You wouldn't happen to be knowledgable about the structure of college programs, and in general what teaching methods work the best etc? I had a question in mind for someone who had their PHD in education in general but they are on vacation. :( I was curious to know how doctorate programs differ between subjects. Not knowing if you could answer that I'd also like to ask what college teaching methods work the best? What do you think of college students downloading notes and filling in the blanks in class as opposed to writing everything freehand? I've been quite irritated by that method myself. I think everything should be written by hand for the sake of memorizing it.
Answer Dear James
Thank you for your question. I am not sure what kind of 'knowledge' you are looking for.
But I can say that doctorate programms differ vastly both in terms of the subjects and the particular college or university offering it. The subject matter and the certification of the particular profession are two factors that help to determine the kind of program and the way it is to be taught. And for the United States sometimes even the state you are in makes a difference to what is required. The way the learning should be assessed also varies with type of subject, and so teaching should be in line with the required assessment method.
On the second issue of teaching methods, I don't believe that there is any one method that works best across the board. Again this will vary widely between subjects. The other major factor to be taken into consideration is the variety of ways in which all human beings learn. Therefore a good teacher will learn how to vary not only the method of instruction but also the assessment strategies and the ways in which the students are expected to present their assignments.
For some people they may need to write things in order to memorise it. This is not necessarily so for everyone. There are some who can read something and record it very efficiently and be able to recall whenever needed. Others have to have visual stimulation, some only have to hear it , etc.
Learning is a very variable process, depending on many factors both intrinsic and extrinsic. There is no one 'size that fits all'.
