It recently occurred to me that a really special quality of the Simultaneous Learning teacher is to be able, simultaneously, to give an instruction and be aware of its likely effect.
I’ve written (and spoken) often of the importance of our response-ability – that ability to notice (accurately) the reaction of our pupil to our last instruction and then (though sensitive and focussed observation and judgement) deliver an appropriate next instruction. This is simply taking that just a little further.
The bit between our pupils doing things usually has two elements – a reaction to what they just did, and the setting up of what they are to do next. The virtuoso SL teacher will simultaneously
- respond appropriately and also…
- be aware of the effect of that response
It’s multitasking on quite a low level – but will reap very positive rewards.