English[edit]
Noun[edit]
guide on the side (plural guides on the side)
- (education) An educator whose method is to provide students with occasional advice, assistance, and correction while allowing them to explore a subject area independently or by interacting among themselves; this educational method itself.
1981 August 6, “‘Gifted Students’ Classes Offered”, in Harlan Daily Enterprise, USA, retrieved 1 Sept 2013, page 5:
Mrs. Johnson said the teacher for the gifted and talented will be more of a "guide on the side" rather than a "sage on the stage."
2005 April 13, Jennifer Toomer-Cook, “2 Utah teachers win presidential awards”, in Deseret Morning News, retrieved 1 Sept 2013:
Skousen, a chemist's daughter, directs her third-graders to conduct hands-on experiments — her force and motion unit is particularly popular — with self-discovery as their learning compass. "I act as the mentor, the guide on the side," Skousen said.
2006 August 25, Nina Vizcarrondo, “Sci-Fi Today, Sci-Fact Tomorrow”, in Time, retrieved 1 Sept 2013:
Case Western has always been an advocate of what Williams calls the "sage on the stage versus the guide on the side" learning method.
Usage notes[edit]
- This term is often used in contrast with the term sage on the stage, which refers to an alternative educational method.
