“When I teach I’m not trying to convince you of anything. Karate is not a religion, it doesn’t need to be defended. I’m simply presenting the information. What you do with that is entirely up to you.” ~ Jesse Enkamp
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Great words by Jesse Enkamp ??
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The ability to influence a student successfully is one of the most important and challenging positions any teacher will face. There is a difference between convincing a student, persuading a student, or coercing them. By fully understanding that difference, a teacher can become very effective in his or her instruction, and ultimately the success, knowledge and understanding of the student.
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Persuasion requires understanding on the students part. Coercion requires only power or force…… It’s a distinction I think about often in teaching.
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As an example; If I manage to get students to do things a certain way for fear of failing their next grade, it means I’ve influenced their behavior perhaps only for the duration of the class, maybe two. All I have done is tried to convince, coerce them with no understanding…… If on the other hand I’ve managed to persuade them, to allow them to understand what they are doing, and that my method has merit, I’ve likely made converts for a good while longer, perhaps even for life. Wouldn’t that be great!…… Ultimately though; “What you do with that [information] is entirely up to you.” ??
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? Photo credit: Audet Photo and Jesse Enkamp.