The following is from the book Myths: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo. How well do you know fact from fiction?
MYTH: Following a time-honored tradition, upon becoming physicians, all doctors take the Hippocratic Oath.
TRUTH: Not all doctors take the Hippocratic Oath. In fact, very few do.
The oath is named for the famous Greek physician Hippocrates, but its authorship is uncertain. The content of the oath suggests that it was formulated during the 4th century BC according to the doctrines of the Pythagorean philosophy. Even ancient physicians did not universally accept the oath. At the end of ancient times, however, medical practice began to conform to conditions advocated in the document. The oath eventually became the nucleus of all medical ethics. In its most compelling portions, it emphasizes the profundity of the medical covenant, patient dignity, the confidentiality of the transaction between patient and doctor, and the physician’s responsibility to guard against abuse or corruption of his or her knowledge and art. Some medical schools no longer administer a traditional form of the Hippocratic oath, but may offer something similar, such as the Prayer of Maimonides, the Declaration of Geneva, or the Oath of Lasagna (developed by a physician of the same name at one of the American medical schools). Many medical schools have their own modified versions of the Hippocratic oath, or have developed their own oath that incorporates aspects of modern medical ethics.
MYTH: To be effective, the contemporary teacher will use as many teaching technologies available as often as possible: video, overheads, Powerpoint, slides, film, computer graphics, audio recordings, multimedia methods, etc.
TRUTH: Teaching is at heart a relational process-a meeting of the minds and hearts of two people: teacher and learner. Even with differing learning styles and modalities, the truth is that every technology used potentially becomes an obstacle between the teacher and the learner. The best teachers know how to use the power of the basic modes of communication: speech, gestures, touch, emotion. Teaching is foremost the sharing of ideas, concepts, passion, and values through dialogue, not entertainment.
You can order a copy of the book Myth: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo (ISBN 0-9715765-4-8) directly from Educational Consultants.
