Jottings - Slice of life - 217 (The art of teaching a course as a subject)
Jottings - Slice of life - 217 (The art of teaching a course as a subject)
“ So, ladies and gentlemen, if in the last day and half, I have managed to give you a taste of what data storage in this digital world is likely to be, what are its challenges, and more importantly, how traditional concepts of relational data will no more hold sway - then I think my job is done. The idea behind this workshop was to reorient thinking, kindle and forge new path ways, and leave you with a sense of deja vu. I never promised to make you experts “ - there was a giggle from the audience, I continued - “ It is impossible to do so in such short time and with participants from different backgrounds. But , if all of you can collectively and individually walk out of this room with the firm conviction that this new model is the model which will work for you, and you will be crusaders for change within your large enterprise, then all of our time is well spent. This is the just the beginning of a learning revolution. But here, in this beautiful classroom, I think we have made a right start, and the road ahead seems much more secure and inviting.. Thanks for your time, patience and opportunity.”
I finished an 12 hour hour session spread over two days with these closing remarks. When I paused, there was deep silence in the classroom for minute, and then all twenty five participants from different echelons of the organization - young and old, novices and veterans, developers and architects, stood up unanimously and began to applaud. Their appreciation went for more time than I could sense. Finally, it abated, and the chief architect spoke on behalf of his team “
“ Bala, thanks, we came in as skeptics. we leave as converts..”
There is a general feeling among teachers that their job is just to teach a course or a specific curriculum. This is especially true, of technical instructors. While this approach of teaching a specific can work in specific cases, in majority of classes, students are eager to understand the subject and not just one aspect of it. They enroll into classes to see if the teacher can kindle interest, spark curiosity - and deep in their hearts - surreptitiously( under covers) seek inspiration from the master. The teacher’s role is to fill that need. What the instructor must realize is that the course per se, its specific curriculum can be at the most a tool, a pointer to deeper and broader subject matter . The course , in itself , can be never an end. And the moment, we turn courses into discrete units with defined boundaries, teaching ceases, and the process become mere exchange of random, incoherent, mechanical notes passing through the minds of teacher and student , without that intuitive span of understanding that comes from a deeper level. The student walks out of such a class half baked. However, the beautiful alchemy of a well taught class lies in those transforming moments, when a teacher chooses to use a given course as base, and leaps into others surrounding areas of the topic, focusing on core principles, and simultaneously casting a diffused light over the entire technical space, sufficient enough for the student to perceive hidden connections and relevance. Just as for a sculptor or painter, their tools are only useful only as long it helps in bringing out the beauty of whole sculpture or painting; so too for teacher, - the course, its duration, its specific are only aids to impart a broader and deeper understanding of the subject. The tools are always subservient to the vision. Sometimes, known methods and tools have to discarded, combined or modified to achieve a desired end. Michalengelo painted the sistine chapel lying on his back, with aching muscles, trembling fingers, paint dripping down his face often blinding him for days. He had to improvise his approach to meet the outcome. In similar spirit, a teacher has to adapt, assimilate and understand how a given topic can provide wider context for the student to appreciate. If teachers can do that, they achieve the mantle of an inspiring mentor.
It is said that when Dr Radhakrishnan, the Illustrious second President of India, taught Philosophy in university during his younger days, the halls would overflow with students from various disciplines. Those who didn’t particularly care for philosophy would crowd along the corridors and behind classroom windows lured by the extempore oratory and brilliant lectures of the master. Radhakrishnan himself was an autodidactic, and his learning extended to all corners of the subject. Therefore to him, any topic was an effortless entry into the subject. Students would be surprised how Radhakrishnan would adapt the flow of a two hour lecture to encompass thoughts that touched upon different disciplines. It was as though, he knew how to touch the right chord in his listeners , and he had something for everyone within the hall and outside. He would walk into class without any notes and just remembering the topic for the day, and from there on take off like an eagle. That is the hallmark of a great teacher - one who know the subject inside out, and can find the right words under any circumstances to articulate the passion one felt for it.
When we finished our session, and headed out for class dinner, a young graduate who had just joined the organization came up to me and said
“ I wish you were there when I first learnt to recognize who or what a teacher is?”
He was very kind and polite with his compliments, and his comment above puts me on too high a pedestal, which I certainly dont deserve. But there is no denying the fact that I certainly try to raise the level of the technical narrative, each time I have the opportunity to address an audience and teach a course. For me, It is the subject that matters, and not courses or topics. And the success of my engagement depends on the magical transformation of a simple course covering few topics into deep orientation into a subject, and converting and convincing my audience of its technical validity - that separates the mediocre from excellent.
God bless…
Yours in mortality,
Bala
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