Impact of Instruction

[Zorbasan]

i think an instructor should also teach a bit of history/theory of the art.

its good to know a technique but it is better to know why a technique is done the way it is, and the different ways it can be used, some of which are not so obvious.

[Jiffy]

Very true.

As you know, I love saying and proverbs, so here's another one.

Good people know how.

Great people know why.

[scottnshelly]

Scenario 1: The instructor teaches only techniques. The student learns about the other 99% of the fighting arts on his own after 30+ years of training.

Scenario 2: The instructor teaches techniques and everything that he learned or picked up. Then the student knows everything that he's learned on his own, plus what his instructor learned, plus his instructor, etc.

Which student would be better off? I think it would be hard for any one to argue that scenario 1 would be better. In the first scenario he's only learning on his own. In scenario 2 he still learns at the same rate on his own, but also learns what his instructors before him learned.

[Jiffy]

That's a great way to put it!

[cathal]

Scenario 1: The instructor teaches only techniques. The student learns about the other 99% of the fighting arts on his own after 30+ years of training.

Scenario 2: The instructor teaches techniques and everything that he learned or picked up. Then the student knows everything that he's learned on his own, plus what his instructor learned, plus his instructor, etc.

Which student would be better off? I think it would be hard for any one to argue that scenario 1 would be better. In the first scenario he's only learning on his own. In scenario 2 he still learns at the same rate on his own, but also learns what his instructors before him learned.

That's well put. I agree.

[ninjanurse]

Agreed. Teaching is an art in itself.

[jaymac]

And the best way to learn is to teach.

[bushido_man96]

And the best way to learn is to teach.

Very true.

[Brandon Fisher]

And the best way to learn is to teach.

I agree, this is where detail really starts to come out.

[Shotokan-kez]

I don't think there would be any point in teaching if the teacher isn't going to put in his all. I don't think a sensei would get very many students or respect if all he taught was the training regime and techniques. As someone else mentioned there is so much more to it than that. History and theory is important and we do get taught that in our dojo. Also he has to be there continually to help and guide the students and be shown where they are going wrong or right.