Bridging the Gap: Adapting to Students’ Perspectives in Teaching
The Difficulty of Stepping Down
In a recent interview (in which I flunked ;) ), I faced a scenario that made me reflect on my teaching approach. I was asked to guide a child through a basic math operation: “Subtract 15 from 5.” The child’s response was 15 - 5 = 10, highlighting a fundamental misunderstanding.
My task was to explain that the operation should be 5 - 15, not the other way around. I attempted to use the example of toffees to illustrate the concept. Still, I became so focused on explaining positive and negative numbers that I lost sight of my primary goal. I’m grateful to the interviewer for pointing out this gap in my approach and providing valuable feedback on improving.
As both a student and a teacher, I’ve encountered numerous situations where communication breaks down due to differing perspectives. Teachers must adapt their explanations to align with the child’s understanding and help them navigate their learning challenges.
After years of working with similar concepts, it’s easy to forget that students are just beginning to grasp these ideas. When a child struggles with what seems like a simple problem, it’s easy to respond with frustration. However, we must remember that children are processing a flood of new information, which can be overwhelming.
I am continuously striving to improve my teaching methods and deeply respect those who have mastered the art of effective communication with their students. This experience has been a valuable reminder of the importance of empathy and flexibility in teaching.
Originally published on LinkedIn, 22 August 2024.