Welcome to the first post of SamTheTutor’s blog.
Our first topic is about effective age and its impact on educational theory. Just as effective age is a useful concept in appraisal, it is also useful in learning theory. Many have characterized the educational learning styles of different generations of learners, leading to a concept of “generational learning.” But all too often these generations are divided using chronological age: millenials; boomers; x-er’s; etc. I prefer the concept of effective age and its impact on education: How does a learner learn regardless of chronological age. I have encountered many students who were septuagenarian network admins; and many other students who were 20-somethings who could barely understand and use e-mail properly.
Rather, I prefer to treat each student with the individual and appropriate respect *they* deserve, based on their unique learning characteristics, *not* on a pre-conceived notion about what learning style they must be, based solely on chronological age.
To base my teaching methodology on physical appearance is simply wrong, whether the student is being judged on color, race, religion….or age. Better to judge the student on their merits.
Sam 