Perhaps part of the problem is with the whole concept of "teacher". I would
like to suggest that, technically speaking, one cannot "teach", i.e. one cannot
plant knowledge or skills in a student. (At least not yet! Perhaps someone will
someday invent a modem to download information or instructions into a person's
brain, but right now that is just science fiction.) It is probably more accurate,
although very clumsy, to describe a teacher as a learning enhancer or one who
facilitates the learning process.
Practice is essential to learning skills. Andy's right about that. I don't
hear anyone disagreeing with that. ( That's why I don't know how to play the
piano!) Where there is disagreement is with the extreme notion that practice is the
only thing that matters in acquiring skills. That ignores vast areas of variables
in motivation and learning theory.
Nonetheless, I am looking forward to learning from Andy's book on How to
Teach Bonsai. I hope it's more than one page saying practice, practice, practice!
;-)
Alan Walker, Lake Charles, LA, USA
http://LCBSBonsai.org http://bonsai-bci.com
================================
Andy: Good teachers clearly explain the process beforehand so that the student knows
why he is doing something over and over. The method you're describing. following
instructions blindly, only works for Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid movies. "wax on,
wax off"
Respectfully,
John
-------------------
I disagree with your definition of a "good teacher." You're describing one
possible aspect of a teaching/learning experience. IF it is important for
the student to first understand the "why" of something, then yes, a good
teacher will do that. If it is not important that the student understand
the "why" until later, the good teacher simply offers the instruction and
gets the student on the right path -- and it is for the teacher, not the
student, to decide the relevance or need for knowing the "why" of a lesson.

I respectfully suggest that "it works" when the student is a good student.
I further suggest that when the teacher can't offer instruction without
first convincing the student that the instruction is worthwhile, two people's
time is being wasted.
Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
zone 8, Texas

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