The Executive Approach

The executive approach to teaching is quite an interesting thing. I have had many encounters with this beast of an approach. I remember sitting in many classrooms with the teacher at the front reading notes directly off of the handout, or verbatim off of the overhead projection as it is used in many schools. It was not fun to be a part of. Class went on for what seemed to be forever but there was an incredible amount of important information communicated during that time. If I would have given in to the temptation of sleeping I would have been lost in the lesson. The executive approach is great because it stresses the information and makes sure the knowledge that the students will need is told to them in an orderly effective way. Because this approach allows effective transfer of knowledge to the students and leads and presents all required knowledge to the students I see it always having a place in schools. Some teachers love the structure and effectiveness and that is great. The promotion of an environment that gives students a quiet and controlled setting for learning is great and very beneficial. Although it is a great structured approach I do not like how it tends to be impersonal. It focuses on structure and transferring knowledge more than the individual student. I have also been in classes were the use of this approach was so impersonal I felt like the teacher did not care about the students. I strongly feel that in order to get the most out of a student they need to know you care. The executive approach is a great idea and can be very effective. But it is important to remember to work with the students not just tell them information, make the learning a great experience not a sleepy one.