Going Beyond the Spoon-feeding Metaphor

Male professor in classroom with students
Spoon-feeding: it’s a familiar metaphor that implies doing too much for students, doing what they should be doing for themselves, and making something easier than it should be. I heard it used recently in reference to a well-organized, detailed online syllabus that made explicit everything students had to do and why they were being asked to do it.

To continue reading, you must be a Teaching Professor Subscriber. Please log in or sign up for full access.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

I have two loves: teaching and learning. Although I love them for different reasons, I’ve been passionate about...
Do a little recon when courses begin next semester. Is there an empty classroom nearby? That vacant space...
Think back to your first year as a college student. In September and October, you were bright-eyed and...
Online instructors often worry that strong teaching presence requires constant availability—rapid responses, frequent check-ins, and an always-on posture...
“But time to think? If you’re not driving a hundred miles an hour, at a clip where you...
During finals week, I sit down with a stack of blank note cards, my favorite purple gel pen,...
Traditional instructor-led videos, such as introductory videos and module overviews with assignment details, can offer students valuable guidance....

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to limited free articles, news alerts, and select newsletters

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Login here

Get unlimited access to The Teaching Professor

Stay informed. Subscribe Now.

WELCOME OFFER

$19.00 $14.00/month

for your first 6 months. Use coupon code TP6MO.

$19.00 thereafter. Cancel anytime.

Enjoy unlimited access to all of The Teaching Professor

You only have  free article views remaining.

WELCOME OFFER

$19.00 $14.00/month

for your first 6 months. Use coupon code TP6MO.

$19.00 a month thereafter. Cancel anytime.