Suggestion 27. Acknowledge the difficulty of certain concepts

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Explain clearly

• Emphasize conceptual understanding

• Identify what you think is important

Acknowledging the difficulty and importance of concepts students are likely to find hard to understand.

One engineering teacher says, "I consciously cue the students to the most difficult ideas by saying such things as, `Almost everyone has difficulty with this one, so listen closely.' Because the level of students' attention varies throughout the hour, it is important to get everyone listening carefully before introducing a new concept or explaining a difficult point."

A forestry professor agrees. "I make a special effort to slow down and get everyone's attention when I come to a concept I know students will find difficult."

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  None
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
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Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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