How much more complicated can it be?

I'm not quite sure what the purpose of a blog really is but I do know that, even though other people can read it, I know that its a place where I can express myself without too much concern about what other people think. I used a blog once during 'Innovations in e-learning' - it ended up a bit of a rant. I enjoyed it though. Like dancing as if no one was watching.

I've worked in a College of Further Education for the past 14 years - and in a Secondary school for 6 years before that. I have read some stuff in my time and have never given up in the quest to discover the learning and teaching 'Holy Grail' ie what are the secrets that would make me the perfect teacher. Then I would be able to sit back and relax.

Sometimes - when younger teachers or people outwith education ask me questions about what teaching and learning is - I fall into the trap of actually trying to explain it to them. After a couple of minutes of preaching I stop myself abruptly, as if I had just caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror wearing a silly hat. I say to them: "How the hell do I know. You know just as much as me."

I have found myself doing the same thing during the first 2 blocks of this course. Both blocks of study contained some excellent literature. Richardson's compilation/lit.review of research has perhaps been the most interesting so far. I find myself engaging completely with the debate. However, it does strike me that this is actually a never-ending-debate and that everyone is correct. Vast numbers of paradigms, constructs, systems, research and literature. All with value and virtue but all just bringing us back to the same point: no two learners learn the same way and no two teachers think the same way about teaching. Even more disconscerting to those seeking the Grail is that no two teaching and learning situations are ever same.

As a learner I have experienced all 5 learner conceptions listed and as a teacher I have also experienced all 5 teacher conceptions. True, I have a rough idea of what the outcomes of most learning and teaching situations will be, and I am a good judge of which type of teaching approach may suit a particular group of learners but in most cases its nothing more complicated than being a good listener, putting the learner first and doing everything in your power to get the learner to where they want to be.