In the Seven Laws of the Learner, Bruce Wilkinson (1992) offers the following learner maxims:
- Teachers are responsible for causing students to learn.
- Teachers will stand accountable for their influence.
- Teachers are responsible because they control subject, style, and speaker.
- Teachers should judge their success by the success of their students.
- Teachers impart more by their character and commitment than by their communication.
- Teachers exist to serve the students.
- Teachers who practice the Laws of the Learner and Teacher can become master teachers.
References
Wilkinson, B. (1992). The seven laws of the learner: How to teach almost anything to practically anyone. Colorado Spring, CO: Multnomah Books.
I took this course DECADES ago in church. I STILL remember how we all moved our hands to represent a summary of the book of Genesis (Creation, Fall, Flood, Nations). I often think back and refer to the Laws of the Learner; they have shaped my approach to teaching preschoolers in church, assisting Kindergarteners who were the parents of wealthy families in private school, supporting learning to low income public school students in my community and preparing my own children. I’m not a degreed educator, but I have helped many students become proficient in many foundational truths with the help of courses and resources like this.
Thanks for posting this; I shared the books years ago and no longer have the course at home as a reference. I’m glad I found it.
I appreciate the input. I hadn’t taken the course but do appreciate the book. Good foundational ideas about learning never grow old.