[TriLUG] Re: Linux @ Wake-Tech

[Tanner Lovelace]

Phillip Rhodes said the following on 3/26/04 3:22 PM:

> Actually, we're in total agreement there.  I just didn't say
> what I was really trying to say originally.  My point about Herb
> having a Masters degree wasn't that it automatically makes
> him a good teacher; rather I mean to say that having a Masters
> degree in Computer Engineering validates that he doesn't lack
> in general technical acumen.  That is, I meant to suggest that Herb
> is *qualified* to teach advanced, highly technical
> material... but may struggle to teach a Linux Security class only
> because he doesn't have experience with that specific technology.

Ah, ok.  I was wondering if it might be something like that.

> The issue of whether somebody is a "good teacher" or not, is
> obviously a separate issue from their technical qualifications,
> but see below for more of how I agree with you on that issue. :-)
[...]
> Absolutely. I've had a few teachers with Masters degrees and/or Phd's 
> who appeared to be absolutely BRILLIANT, but couln't *teach* their
> way out of a paper sack.  I suppose you could generalize and say that
> technical qualification is a necessary, but not sufficent, condition for 
> being a "good teacher".

To go even further, I've had some great "teachers" that were horrible
lecturers.  I took a class once from someone who was so far above
everyone in the class that it was the difference between a paper
airplane and a 747.  The only hope most in the class had was in slowing
him down.  If you came to his office and asked questions, though, he'd
bend over backwards trying to come up with a way to help you understand.
He was an excellent teacher but not quite so good as a lecturer, at
least for the mere mortals in the class. :-)

It all comes down to tailoring your message to your audience, and this
is something that is even applicable to people giving talks/classes/etc
at TriLUG functions. (How's that for bringing things back on topic? ;-)

Cheers,
Tanner
-- 
Tanner Lovelace       | Don't move! Or I'll fill ya full of... little
lovelace at wayfarer.org | yellow bolts of light! - Commander John Crichton