When teaching students we are, figuratively speaking, showing them the completed puzzle.  They feel they understand and “get it,” until they test their understanding.   Then, the puzzle is deconstructed.

The art of teaching is putting the puzzle back together for the students, but instead, is helping the students analyze the pieces of the puzzle while keeping the big picture in mind so they can piece it together themselves.  By examining, as a whole class, the work of students, the puzzle is deconstructed and our work really begins.

Students need to be trained on the purpose of these type of activities, coached regarding the expectations of behavior and the desired outcomes of the looking at, and sometimes critically discussing, the work of students.  

In this episode we talk about just these things.  You can download the episode on your favorite platform, or listen to it on the embedded player below.