16th
Teachable Moments
Teachers are encouraged to be on the lookout for teachable moments, the narrow gaps of time when students are particularly primed for learning. In a classroom with 20+ students, these moments are highly unpredictable, and it takes a perceptive and talented teacher to identify them and capitalize on the opportunities.
One benefit of mentor-based learning is that a mentor is more capable of creating teachable moments, rather than waiting for them to appear out of thin air. When a mentor is highly perceptive to a student’s interests and learning style, teachable moments can be constructed quite effectively. Increasing the number of teachable moments increases the opportunities for learning. Even so, it is important for teachers and mentors not to force these moments. Teachable moments must be organic, or carefully constructed to appear organic. An inauthentic creation will not work.
