The Skillful Teacher

Feeling Unprepared
Students often report that they feel they are being asked to talk
about ideas or topics about which they know very little. In their
eyes they’re expected to speak intelligently on a subject for which
they have no information and for which they have had no time or
opportunity for thoughtful reflection or research that might lead to
some informed opinions. In addition, many students have not had
much sustained engagement in discussion during their precollege
years and are unaware of how they should conduct themselves. Later
in this chapter I provide some introductory exercises to get students
talking that address this problem.