Retz, Quirk

I just finished reading the memoirs of Cardinal de Retz, a French clergyman and politician of the XVIIth century. I didn't quite know what to make of him. His memoirs are excellent, rising to the level of the Duc de Saint-Simon for portraiture, but for the rest, it was less interesting. I think it's because I had trouble following his impressions of the Fronde, as I don't know enough about the Fronde itself.

I wanted to take some notes about Intuition and Metacognition in Medical Education, because I think this is relevant to a broader application, including my own teaching. The teaching strategies recommended are fostering reflective writing and reading; using a facilitative teaching style that includes reflective questioning; provide feedback on thinking, perspective taking and reflection; and finally model reflection, self-assessment, and self-evaluation. (Pp. 93-4)

On teaching styles and types of behavior

Assertive	Suggestive	Collaborative	Facilitative
Gives directions	Suggests alternatives/choices	Elicits/accepts learner’s ideas	Elicits/accepts learner’s feelings
Asks focused questions	Asks leading questions	Uses open/ exploratory questions	Uses open/ reflective questions
Gives information	Gives opinions	Relates personal experiences	Offers feelings of encouragement

Each teaching style is appropriate for achieving a specific level of objectives.

Assertive and suggestive teaching styles are appropriate for helping the learner develop a cognitive base i.e. gain knowledge and understanding. Facilitative and collaborative teaching styles encourage development of meta-cognitive capabilities, including reflection, self-questioning, perspective taking, and self assessment.

(Pp. 102-3).