Some days you think you’ve nothing to say and then you chance upon an idea and off you go. I read with interest a new blog by a former depute whom I knew at Knox. Now at Liberton High School, Donald McDonald has launched Head’s Blog.

I was struck in this post by the idea that classroom management can be learned but not taught. This intrigued me and before long my comment had assumed the proportions of a complete post.

The comment awaits moderation but I feel sure that Donald, who specifically invites comment, won’t mind if I pre-empt his acceptance here:

Hi Donald:

Nice to catch up - if only virtually. I came across your blog today (thanks to Ollie) and enjoyed reading your interesting posts. I’m intrigued by the notion of something that can be learned but not taught (classroom management being the example given in your latest post).

I suppose whether one resonates with that view depends on what is meant by taught. Taught in the sense of someone telling you things? Taught in the sense of observation followed by analysis and discussion? Taught through role play? I’m particularly interested in this being an instrumental instructor as hardly any of us underwent teacher training of any sort and learned on the job. Sadly, for some pupils, part of this must have been through our mistakes. I’d say there is a place for some sort of preparation before beginning our particular job – even if it only amounted to a short observation/mentoring programme before beginning. There are many skills to pick up and I’ve seen people unnecessarily drowning in a torrent of unfamiliar administrative and procedural matters – and that’s before the teaching even begins!

More than anything, though, I’d say language is the key. I’ve sat in the classrooms of some great (class) music teachers, eavesdropping from the PC printer, and the unambiguous simplicity with which they give instructions, offer explanations, pose questions lifts a veil from the ears. I’d say that some of this could be taught.

Here’s a daft but, hopefully illuminating example from my own practice. I like to finish lessons with some sort of aural games. A favourite is to play short phrases which pupils then play by ear on their guitars – using any new notes featured in that lesson. They’re told the starting note and asked to look away, as it’s a game for the ears and not the eyes. When I first began using this game, I noticed that some pupils, although they had faithfully looked in the other direction for previous examples, were staring directly at my guitar in advance of the forthcoming one. At first I thought that they’d simply forgotten that little detail or perhaps imagined that I wouldn’t notice. Then it struck me that I’d announced the next example by saying, “OK, what about this one?” Using the word, “this” was effectively a direct invitation (almost an instruction) to look. That phrase has since been replaced by “Right, here’s another one – look away.”

That was a bit of a ramble – but I hope it made sense. I’ll look in again soon to see if you have any comments.

Cheers

Alan (http://edubuzz.org/blogs/alancoady)

Categories: Behind-the-scenes, Leadership, Student and Trainee Teachers