EconTalk Elizabeth Green on Education and Building a Better Teacher
Sep 15, 2014
Elizabeth Green, an education journalist and co-founder of Chalkbeat, discusses her book, Building a Better Teacher. She dives into the art and challenge of teaching, emphasizing practical training over theory. The conversation touches on classroom discipline strategies, comparing American practices with those in Japan, and the balance between rigor and fun in education. Green advocates for reformed teacher accountability and the role of journalism in highlighting educational inequities, stressing the need for compassion in teaching.
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Universities Neglected Teaching Practice
- Education research prioritized psychology and theory over studying teaching practice directly.
- Universities created little scholarship on teaching-as-craft, leaving teacher training impoverished.
Give Specific Directions, Not “Shh”
- Replace vague commands like “shh” with specific, actionable directions for students.
- Tell students exactly what to do next to redirect behavior and reduce attention on misbehavior.
Language Makes Teaching Visible
- Lack of a professional language makes teaching's complex moves invisible to novices.
- Naming granular teaching moves helps teachers notice, learn, and copy expert practice.
