[HPforGrownups] Learning and Teaching

[weildman]

No: HPFGUIDX 135042

The past weeks have been filled with discussion revolving around learning
and teaching.  Subjects have varied from Snape's vindication based on OWL
performance, to Harry and Hermione's performance in 6th Year potions.  I
think we have all missed the implications of the HBP's potions book in this
discussion.  Potions is one of the most dynamic and detailed classes in the
books so I will focus manly on it, however, DADA, particularly Snape's
teaching of it, gives a nice extension of potions professor Snape.

Hogwarts has to be about more than memorizing.  So far as we know Hogwarts
is the final step in formal education for a witch or wizard and therefore
must prepare its students for all endeavors.  Students begin with simple
spells and activities and then progress to more difficult magic.  Meanwhile,
they are exposed to theory and concepts- as Snape so aptly points out in
DADA.  Magic is dangerous and proper experimenting techniques must be
learned.  I am confident that this is being taught (out of our sight)
because Fred and George never kill themselves or anyone else while
experimenting.

Some students have a challenge with just the basics of a subject for a
variety of reasons (think Neville) while others are adept at whatever they
attempt (Hermione).  This is the point of OWLs, to asses the ability of a
student to continue on in a particular subject.  Snape does not want to
waste his time teaching advanced potions to students below the excellent
level (although he may have been left with only Hermione had he stayed in
that position).  NEWT potions was vastly different than previous years- not
only because of the professor change but because of the sophistication of
the students.  They are being taught theory at this point, they are asked to
analyze and devise but they are all severely disadvantaged in this endeavor.
In five years I don't believe I saw Snape actually teach potions to anybody.
Their talents brought them through despite his efforts.  I always got the
impression that a good muggle cook could reproduce most potions given the
ingredients and instructions and I think Neville's OWL testing shows this.  

Slughorn comes in and attempts to teach these students based on his own
experiences with this academic level.  He should have been horribly
disappointed with the class but he was distracted by Harry's performance.
Harry used an incredible resource to his advantage- much the same way
Hermione uses outside reading to improve her performance.  I believe her
jealousy comes from not having equal access and her distrust comes from her
near fanatical trust in books (rather than notes in books).

I think the most telling aspect of the HBP potions book is the revelation
that it belonged to Snape.  This absolutely genius improvement in a 50 year
old textbook is allowed to gather dust instead of improving the knowledge of
students.  I believe Snape failed as a teacher when he failed to use his
greater knowledge of the subject to improve the text for the course.  I
don't know what his reasons for withholding this knowledge was, but in doing
so he failed his students and the wizarding world.  The fact that he could
have shared this knowledge and didn't is really telling about his character.


Additionally Snape's treatment of Hermione in DADA shows his contempt for
memorization- but in five years he has never challenged anyone to do
anything else.  It seems that as a professor he sets up students to fail his
standards.    His treatment of students fails to meet any logical standards
(even if you justify his treatment of Neville, his treatment of Crabbe and
Goyle by comparison means he failed them).  I believe Dumbledore failed his
students when he hired Snape as a professor regardless of the possible
benefits to the world that posting created.

-trevor
Who believes that Snape is evil but working for the side of good.