Tuesday, October 30, 2012

MacFarland and Escalante


There are definitely significant differences between the teaching styles of MacFarland and Escalante… but even more than the differences? The similarities. It’s quite obvious that both men want their students to succeed… Escalante by his bold, out there lessons often found him dressing in costume and returning to class not long after having a heart attack.
MacFarland would give his students quizzes every other day, whether or not they felt ready for them. He would ask the students questions, but unlike Escalante he would help the students out if they didn’t understand… Escalante often left his students to figure out their mistakes on their own. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s just a different method of teaching.
Mike Rose states in his essay how MacFarland was an example to him, and he states multiple times throughout that MacFarland made Rose feel special by using his mind. Escalante made his students feel special using similar methods… though he would look more for the students to find those things within themselves rather then just telling them that they were special.
Both instructors were clear in informing their students of the importance of a higher education, and they helped them to find ways to better achieve those goals. They were friends, teachers, and examples for their students and deserve all the recognition they’ve been given. 

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