Explore the communication challenges between novices and experts, illustrated through personal anecdotes and a maze analogy. Learn how empathy can bridge the knowledge gap, especially in remote learning settings. Discover innovative teaching methods that use relatable analogies to enhance understanding in subjects like calculus. Delve into the importance of breaking down complex tasks and leveraging rapid feedback for skill mastery. Reflect on the evolving nature of expertise and the role of technology in verifying complex mathematical proofs.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Calculus Teaching Empathy Gap
Douglas Squirrel shared his experience teaching calculus to students who lacked deep math understanding.
He recalled a brilliant professor unable to explain fundamental concepts clearly due to an empathy gap.
insights INSIGHT
Experts vs Novices Perception
Experts and novices perceive problems very differently, leading to an empathy gap.
Experts see decision points novices miss, exemplified by a maze analogy.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Novice Missteps Without Clear Guidance
Jeffrey Fredrick shared a story where novices waste time attempting complex solutions due to missing simpler expert advice.
This illustrates confusion caused by gaps in communication between experts and novices.
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In 'Blink', Malcolm Gladwell explores the concept of 'thin-slicing', the ability of our unconscious mind to make rapid decisions based on limited information. The book delves into both the strengths and pitfalls of this process, using examples from various fields such as psychology, medicine, sales, and law enforcement. Gladwell discusses how these snap judgments can be both incredibly accurate and sometimes tragically wrong, influenced by factors like prejudice, stereotypes, and psychological priming. He also examines how experts develop their intuitive judgment through experience and training, and how stressful situations can affect our decision-making abilities.
Do ‘Experts Have It Easy’? In this episode, Squirrel and Jeffrey discuss how experts and novices can overcome the empathy gap with rapid feedback, and breaking down complex problems into smaller steps to facilitate understanding.
SHOW LINKS:
Links:
- Boyd Kane's article: https://boydkane.com/essays/experts
- Gladwell, Blink: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blink:_The_Power_of_Thinking_Without_Thinking
- Shuhari: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shuhari
- Terence Tao on finding gaps in proofs: https://mathstodon.xyz/@tao/111287749336059662
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You'll find free videos and practice material, plus our book Agile Conversations, at agileconversations.com
And we'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have about the show: email us at info@agileconversations.com
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About Your Hosts
Douglas Squirrel and Jeffrey Fredrick joined forces at TIM Group in 2013, where they studied and practised the art of management through difficult conversations. Over a decade later, they remain united in their passion for growing profitable organisations through better communication.
Squirrel is an advisor, author, keynote speaker, coach, and consultant, and he's helped over 300 companies of all sizes make huge, profitable improvements in their culture, skills, and processes. You can find out more about his work here: douglassquirrel.com/index.html
Jeffrey is Vice President of Engineering at ION Analytics, Organiser at CITCON, the Continuous Integration and Testing Conference, and is an accomplished author and speaker. You can connect with him here: www.linkedin.com/in/jfredrick/
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