Teaching Styles / Sorting Hat

[amiabledorsai]

No: HPFGUIDX 159741

>AD:
> >So, what you're saying is, Snape is too incompetent a teacher to
> >understand the damage he's doing, or too lacking in empathy to
> > care?
> >
> >I can live with that.

wynnleaf:
> What do you think an "incompentent" teacher is? 

AD:
I think a pretty good example of an incompetent teacher would be one
who refuses to change his teaching style, even when he has his nose
rubbed in the fact that a particular student can be reached by other
methods. 

An especially incompetent teacher would abuse his authority to take
out his embarrassment on that student, instead.

wynnleaf:
> Apparently, from OOTP info, Snape's students do very, very well
> in potions as a whole, even if there are some like Neville that
> don't do well.

AD:
We learn this little nugget from... who was it?  Oh yes, Severus
Snape.  Couldn't have a less biased source than that, could we?

wynnleaf: 
> "Lacking in empathy"  Hm.  Well, I don't know that Snape does
> care if some people are pretty clueless to that sort of over-the-top
> threat.  But you know, very sweet teachers do not necessarily 
> "reach" everyone either.  There are many people that are actually
> quite turned off by people who are the overly kind and empathetic
> types of teachers, because they seem just too fluffy.

AD:
A competent teacher would change styles when dealing with that
particular student.  Sadly, this appears to be beyond Snape's
capabilities.  Fortunately for him, Hogwarts makes an effort to hire
the handicapped.

wynnleaf: 
>  Do those teachers "lack empathy" because they won't change and
> accomodate those of us who really respond better to a much more 
> down to earth style?

AD: 
The use of threats, insults, and vendettas is a meaning of the phrase
"down to earth" with which I was not previously familiar.  Thank you
for enlarging my horizons.

wynnleaf: 
> Thing is, no teacher can adapt their style of teaching to fit every
> single kind of student.  

AD:
Yes, I can see how much extra effort it would be for Snape to refrain
from gratuitous insults outside of class, mustn't overwork our
delicate little flower.

Amiable Dorsai