Reflections on the “Artistry” of Teaching
Christensen’s wisdom is remembered and often quoted by former students and colleagues from HBS. At least one chairman of a major national conglomerate still carries with him a copy of the yellowed notes he took in Christensen’s Business Policy class more than thirty years ago. The following quotes are taken from various written accounts of Christensen’s observations about teaching.
Truly effective classroom teaching is artistry, and I believe those artistic skills and techniques can be taught and learned. >>>>
To me, the very first rule of teaching is: Don’t hurt. An instructor can use his questions as a shepherd’s staff — or as a club. He should take care to use it as a gentle prod, not an instrument of wrath, anger, or punishment. >>>>
Many teachers consider silence on the part of a student to be a neutral signal. I don’t. To me, silence is as potent and meaningful a form of communication as the most articulate verbal response. >>>>
I’m not presiding over the Spanish Inquisition: I just want a successful learning experience. >>>>
There is beauty, yes, magnificence, in the potential of every student. As an instructor, my responsibility is to uncover and enhance that wonderfulness. >>>>
For teachers who like to be in charge, discussion teaching can be a most uncomfortable assignment, yet educational. >>>>
I cannot imagine a more rewarding profession than teaching. It always makes me think of a paraphrase of Amy Lowell’s that teaching is like dropping ideas into the mailbox of the subconscious: You know when they are posted, but not when they are received. >>>>
All of us are united by the worthwhileness of our vocation. The joy of teaching is continuing rediscovery and that, with luck, it enables us to be everyday alchemists. >>>>
