Teaching without Speaking

Lee — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:10:46 +0000

Last month, I returned from another six week trip to Guatemala. On this trip, my Spanish was better and I was able to communicate much more proficiently than before. However, on my first trip, I noticed how, without verbal fluency, I had to rely on other modes of communication–namely body language and facial expression. I was quite limited with what I could communicate, orally, but it provided an opportunity for me to see how much you can communicate, effectively, with a minimum of speaking.

Yesterday, I came upon this video of a professor who lost her voice due to Lou Gehrig’s disease. She continues to teach, from home, using her computer and a voice synthesizer. She says that this experience has enhanced her ability to listen. She is no longer “center stage” in front of the classroom. Because of this, students have had to take more responsibility in class discussions and activities, which has helped her students to see themselves as “teachers” within the classroom.

I particularly connected with her enthusiasm about how beneficial this has been for her perspective and teaching.

I’m back!

Lee — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:47:42 +0000

After a year-long hiatus, I’m back on the triple dubya. I was getting tired of my old website, but couldn’t figure out what I wanted to say on my new one. I wasn’t even sure I had anything to say.

So, I’m trying out this blog-style format for the site, even though I don’t anticipate any heavy “blogging.” I just want a website where folks, that know me or want to, can go and check out what I’m up to.

Lee Vartanian » Other

Teaching without Speaking

I’m back!