As a university math TA, my students would often say "you're so much better than the teacher, why don't you teach the class?"
Hearing this is definitely an ego stroke, but what the student really means is that he learns better by practicing problems than by listening to theory. I feel this is even more true in a younger school environment.
The teacher's and TA's roles are simply different in this respect, so I take no credit for "being better than the teacher".
But what Khan Academy does is really interesting, because now the teacher takes the role of the TA. I feel this is a much more effective way to teach. And ultimately the student will benefit. Thumbs up to this philosophy.
Comments
As a university math TA, my students would often say "you're so much better than the teacher, why don't you teach the class?"
Hearing this is definitely an ego stroke, but what the student really means is that he learns better by practicing problems than by listening to theory. I feel this is even more true in a younger school environment.
The teacher's and TA's roles are simply different in this respect, so I take no credit for "being better than the teacher".
But what Khan Academy does is really interesting, because now the teacher takes the role of the TA. I feel this is a much more effective way to teach. And ultimately the student will benefit. Thumbs up to this philosophy.
I think this is a really keen observation.