Teaching Styles and Motivation

[rbookworm46]

No: HPFGUIDX 130350

Betsy Hp:
And Harry *has* managed to learn under Snape in the past. So, *if 
Harry had wanted to learn* he would have learned under Snape. 

Bookworm:
I agree with your second statement, but IMO Harry has managed to 
learn *in spite* of Snape for many of his lessons.  I will, however, 
concede that he definately learned to pay attention to the details 
from Snape <g>

Betsy Hp:
Exactly! If Harry had wanted to learn Occlumency, he'd have learned
it. Personally, I think even if Lupin had been the teacher instead
of Snape, Harry would *still* have failed to block his dreams. He
may have felt a bit more guilty about not doing the work, but he
would have followed the same path. (And the drama would have gone
*way* down.)

Bookworm:
There is the possibility that Lupin would have described the 
situation in such a way that Harry could accept the importance of 
Occlumency.  Maybe not, and it definately wouldn't have been as 
dramatic - or deadly - but Lupin does have a way of reaching out to 
his students the Snape lacks.  

>>Jen:
<snip>
Another teacher would probably use very similar language to describe
the process of Occlumency to Harry, to train him on the skills he
needs to learn. Without the sneering, coolness, danger, snarling,
and contempt, perhaps Harry will hear what they have to say.<

Bookworm:
When you say "another teacher" does this mean other than Lupin or 
Snape?  And would that teacher describe the process the same way 
that Snape did without the nastiness?  Or use the same words in a 
nicer tone of voice?  For a motivated, or even a mildly interested, 
student either option might work. For an unmotivated student, very 
little will work until the motivation is addressed.

Yes, I know the arguments that Harry lied to Snape.  Snape also said 
he would know if Harry was not practicing.  As a teacher, he failed 
to recognize his student's failings.

Betsy Hp:
I think Snape gave Harry an excuse, actually. Harry didn't want to
stop the dreams and Snape provided a good scapegoat for not doing
the work. Because I think Harry *did* hear what Snape was telling
him, he just chose not to believe him.

Bookworm:
Definitely.  The whole situation has several conflicting aspects 
that makes analysis of it difficult: Harry's motivation, Lupin and 
Snape's teaching styles, and Harry's feeling towards each of the 
professors.  The Occlumency lessons were the worst possible 
combination of those aspects.

Ravenclaw Bookworm