Teaching Students How to Fish: The Next Step for Learning-Centered Teaching

Carl S. Moore, PhD

Assistant Director, Teaching and Learning Center, Adjunct Assistant Professor- Temple University

You may be aware of the age old saying, “give a [wo]man a fish and [s]he will eat for a day, teach a [wo]man how to fish and [s]he will eat for a lifetime.” I found this truism to be very applicable to work as a higher education administrator and teacher at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It has oriented me with a mindset that aims to collaborate with students rather than direct them – to facilitate learning rather than force it. For in working with students and being learning-centered, we as teachers have the great opportunity to empower students to learn how to learn.