Hi All,
Here is an article that will come out in the new Maryland Association for Adult Community and Continuing Education newsletter, due to be released this week. Check out MAACCE at
www.maaccemd.org
The Art of Teaching: Our Students as Expert Novices
By Cynthia Macleay Campbell, Ed.D.
How do we view our students? As teachers in the adult education field, we can be tempted to focus overly on the gaps in their education and how we can fill it. I would like to suggest an alternate perspective to incorporate into our thinking and our practice. Yes, we have much knowledge to impart such as the nuances of English grammar or how to read informational text. However, incorporating a focus on what our learners already know is important for the building of their confidence as learners and for helping them relate the learning to their lives and retain that learning.
While researching teacher education, I came across the concept of “expert novice” (Williams, 2010) in discussing how to incorporate the prior knowledge of career changers as they prepare for teaching. I believe this idea can be applied to our adult learners as well. Viewing our students as expert novices means acknowledging that while they do have learning needs, they also come with prior knowledge, which can be drawn upon in teaching. Furthermore, the adult learners’ knowledge and experience are valuable both to themselves and to others, including the teacher. Hence, a part of teaching is helping adult students appreciate the value of the knowledge and experience they have.
With the consideration of my students as expert novices, here are some strategies that I employ with my ESL/ABE students:
1. I intentionally bring in reading material that capitalizes on their prior knowledge. Along with providing readings to present new information, I also assign readings on topics that the learners know well. Often they will know much more about the subject than I do, and they teach me with their knowledge. For example, with Hispanic students, I have brought in articles written in simple English which discusses a cultural, historical, or political aspect of Mexico or Central American countries. Beyond reading for understanding, I also ask for their feedback as to whether they think the article is accurate or missing any key information. Other readings could relate to their current jobs or the immigrant experience.
2. I also have students write about what they know. “Write what you know” is classic advice for professional writers, but it also works with beginning writers. For reflection journals, I often ask students to respond to questions about their jobs, skills, or hobbies. For more formal writing, such as a paragraph, I have students write about important aspects of their jobs or a subject they care about. Sometimes, I might ask, “What are the most important ways to do well at your job?” or “What is an issue you care about and why is it important?” In working with my students, I have had the pleasure of reading paragraphs about how to give excellent customer service at a restaurant and the problems of post-partum depression. The students learn a lot about the writing process, I learn from them, and none of us get bored!
3. I also ask the students to talk about what they know. Inside/Outside Circles is a great venue for students to respond to questions like “what are some of the most important skills one needs in your job?” Students can also share about aspects of their home country's culture or history. In one-on-one discussion, students have given me new information such as the nuances of a job search for general labor or how to ice a cake, a task I personally do badly and look forward to applying my student’s tips!
A word of caution now. Many of our students don’t think they have any worthwhile knowledge or experience to bring to the classroom, and it often takes time to help them understand otherwise. Therefore, it is important to ask questions, listen, and be patient. For me the effort is worth it. I have seen my own students grow in confidence as learners and increase their academic skills as they function as expert novices.
Now, I have a couple questions for you because I love learning from other teachers.
- How do you capitalize on the knowledge of your students and build on it?
- What have your students taught you?
Please leave me a comment!
