The German educational system is what's being discussed here.
Unleashing Knowledge: Martin Rütter on the Power of Practical Education
Dog training expert Martin Rütter, the renowned four-legged guru from Duisburg, isn't shy about sharing his thoughts on teacher training in an episode of the podcast "Animalistically human." Here's his take on why practical experience is key and why he critiques the German school system.
Martin Rütter's Stance on Teacher Training: "Why wait?"
Martin Rütter questions why teacher training doesn't foster a dual study model, where theory and practice are integrated from the get-go: "Why isn't it a dual study program to be active as a teacher?" He passionately asserts that pure classroom learning isn't sufficient: "Everyone has grappled with that question before: 'Why do I need this?' and that's where school falls short, with a lack of practical orientation."
Martin Rütter on Academia: "Book smarts don’t always mean street smarts."
The dog expert drives his point home, saying that the problem intensifies in college: "You see this in your studies. And I'm talking about doctors who study for ages, then do an internship in the hospital [...] It starts with the realization that everyday life in the hospital only happens when you are already highly educated and then you think: 'I’m not really right'."
Martin Rütter finds particular fault with the theoretical training for teachers: "We experience this with teachers all the time, someone wants to become a primary school teacher, then comes into a class and thinks: 'Oh, crap, 160 decibels, I can’t handle that'."
Martin Rütter is convinced: "Practice makes perfect."
That's why Martin Rütter's approach to training dog trainers at his academy is anchored in practical experience: "We said from the start: 'It must be practical'." Martin Rütter believes that this approach boosts understanding: "In the moment when the trainers realize: 'Aha, that's what it means and I need to know this to be able to do it on the field!', it suddenly becomes easy to learn." And with practical application at the heart of his teachings, Martin Rütter is a master seasoner of knowledge into the brains of his students.
Education-and-self-development and learning are integral to Martin Rütter's approach to training, as he emphasizes the need for practical experience in both dog training and teacher training. He states that theory and practice should be integrated from the start in teacher training programs, as pure classroom learning is insufficient and lacks practical orientation. This belief is also applied in his academy's methodology for training dog trainers.
