Binns (was Snape)

[unlikelyauthor]

No: HPFGUIDX 143957

> unlikely 2 wrote:
> > (snip) Snape talks the talk but I think Binns does more real 
> > damage than Snape and, given the choice, I'd prefer Snape to 
> > Binns any day. (snip)
> 
> Ginger <quigonginger at y...> wrote:
> <snip> I'm surprised to hear that you think he does more damage 
> than Snape. Would you mind elabourating on this?
> 
> Binns knows his subject, presents the information and then 
> tests his students on what they have learned. He also has them 
> look things up themselves and write reports, which is a good 
> method for some people.<snip>
> 
> Binns sticks to his subject. <snip> Binns comes to class 
> prepared to lecture on the topic of the day. The students are 
> expected to listen and learn.
> 
> What I like about Binns is that each student gets out of it 
> *exactly* what that student puts into it. <snip>


Hello Ginger, 

Please forgive my being brief but RL intrudes. So, a partial 
argument at least.

Harry James Potter achieved:

History of Magic    D
Potions             E

So despite the fact that Harry hates Snape he does well. (Only 
one outstanding, for DADA, probably awarded because the his 
patronus). Otherwise, mostly, he gets Es. His worst result is 
for History of Magic. Binn's style gives students like Hermione 
the chance to shine. On the other hand, I suspect that most 
students are like Harry and did not do well. Learning is not 
only about academic performance. An understanding of content may 
have value.

It has been remarked that those who fail to understand history 
repeat it. I wonder if a poor understanding of history is not part 
of the WW's problem.

unlikely2