- #31
bomba923
- 759
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Actually my tutoring is going well--->for THEM.
Not so well-->FOR ME.
Not so well-->FOR ME.
Last edited:
Does Tutoring Simpler Concepts Degrade My Own Intelligence?
- Thread starter bomba923
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the impact of tutoring simpler concepts on the tutor's own learning and comprehension abilities. Participants explore the relationship between teaching and personal understanding, particularly in the context of high school mathematics, including Algebra II and Calculus III. The conversation touches on themes of confidence, learning perspectives, and the potential effects of "dumbing down" material.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- One participant expresses concern that tutoring less capable students leads to a "dumbing down" of their own understanding and comprehension.
- Another participant argues that teaching should enhance one's own intelligence, sharing their positive experience of tutoring despite working with students who struggle academically.
- A request for clarification is made regarding how the "dumbing down" effect manifests in the tutor's learning process.
- One participant suggests that the tutor's brain may require a deeper understanding rather than rote learning, proposing that they embrace a simplified perspective to enhance comprehension.
- Another participant emphasizes the importance of not compromising standards while tutoring, advocating for maintaining high expectations for both the tutor and the students.
- Concerns are raised about the tutor's ability to effectively teach basic concepts if they have not solidified their own understanding, suggesting that some may not be suited for tutoring roles.
- A participant reflects on their own tutoring experience, noting the challenges faced when trying to explain concepts that seemed intuitive to them but were not to their students.
- There is a suggestion that the tutor's struggles may be coincidental with their current academic challenges in higher-level math.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants exhibit a range of perspectives on the effects of tutoring on personal learning. Some agree that maintaining high standards is crucial, while others question the tutor's effectiveness and suitability for teaching. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on whether tutoring leads to a degradation of understanding or if it can enhance learning.
Contextual Notes
Participants express various assumptions about learning processes, the nature of tutoring, and the relationship between teaching and comprehension. There are unresolved questions about the tutor's confidence and its impact on their learning experience.