ASL Lessons | Bookstore | Library | ASL University Main ►

Teaching ASL: "The curse of knowledge"

Good instructors need to be aware of and avoid something called "the curse of knowledge."

Experts (or so called) tend to (mistakenly) assume "it is obvious that" ... [insert knowledge here] ... so it is not worth mentioning [to the student].

Then we wonder why our students aren't "getting it."

Some instructors (amazingly) after many years of teaching -- have avoided the "curse."  They remember what it is like to be a beginner.

I like to think that I'm one of the ones who have avoided the curse but then I come across some of my early (in my career) lesson plans and activities and think, "Gee, those really covered the basics -- I don't teach like that any more.  I just jump right into..."

Then it hits me.  I'm cursed.

-- Dr. Bill Vicars
(October, 2016)

 

---

---

 

Notes:
 

 

---

---

*  Want to help support ASL University?  It's easy:  DONATE  (Thanks!)

*  Another way to help is to buy something from Dr. Bill's "Bookstore."

*  Want even more ASL resources?  Visit the "ASL Training Center!"  (Subscription Extension of ASLU)  

*  Also check out Dr. Bill's channel: www.youtube.com/billvicars
 

---

You can learn American Sign Language (ASL) online at American Sign Language University ™ 
ASL resources by Lifeprint.com  ©  Dr. William Vicars   

---