How (not) to teach

Abstract

Abstract - In this personal essay Susanne van Els draws on her musical career as a performer and educator to look at when, where and how essential learning takes place. Because, when answering the number one question – what is our main goal in life – the answer should not be ‘to teach’ but ‘for our students to learn’. There is a major discrepancy between the ideal musicianship, as portrayed by great musicians and felt sincerely by youngsters who start their training at conservatoires, and the information materials and course structures offered by our study programmes. Also, the way we organise our education stands remote from professional practice and from the original and valuable master-apprentice model. Is our system of ‘controlled learning’ making our students passive? And would they develop better in an atmosphere of trust and when they enjoy themselves more? Promising projects were conducted based on an idea that goes beyond student-centred learning: student-led education.