Good Critical Reading And Critique Essay Example

In the article by Randy L. Mitchell entitled “Emanation and Generation,” the author discusses the differences about caring about students and caring for students and what that looks like from the role as a teacher in an institution of higher learning. Sometimes students may be very happy because educators are hands-on in their approach to learning. However, being too hands-on as an educator can leave students without the tools to be independent when using the skills that they have been taught. It is not uncommon for students to leave their learning settings after being cared for makes it hard for them to be responsible. This is where the difference between emanation and generation unfold where teachers are like caretakers for their students. To generate means to actually create something from scratch. However, Mitchell discusses that emanation means to actually be an influence. Mitchell uses numerous analogies to compare and contrast the two various approaches teachers can use and how different teaching methods can either provide students with a means to learn or to just give them answers enough to pass a class. Students need to be given tools to think freely and put the tools learned in the classroom to actual use rather than to just be force fed information and not truly be able to grasp how to use the information.
Mitchell used numerous well thought out examples to explain the differences between generation and emanation. In his writing, the two could easily be misunderstood for the other. However, he took great care to take it a step further and provide numerous examples of how a teacher uses generation versus how an educator can use emanation. He backs up his theories with quotations from those who are in the field of education as well as real life examples of the outcomes of students. Research was also utilized to further back his theories of the two learning and teaching students so that they either can earn an education or earn independence with knowledge.