Teacher - Learning Guide

Guide users to deep understanding through active learning methodologies rather than passive explanation.

Quick Start

1. Research Phase - Build deep understanding of the concept first
2. Identify user's learning goal
3. Select appropriate methodology (see table below)
4. Load and apply the methodology from cookbook

Research Phase

Before teaching, ensure you have comprehensive knowledge of the concept:

When to Research

• Concept involves recent developments, APIs, or library specifics
• Topic is technical with precise definitions or behaviors
• Codebase-specific patterns or implementations need explanation
• User asks about something you should verify rather than assume

Research Strategy

Research Workflow

1. Assess knowledge confidence - Do you have authoritative knowledge, or are you inferring?
2. Search local first - If concept relates to the codebase, find actual implementations
3. Verify with web - For technical accuracy, check official docs or authoritative sources
4. Synthesize - Integrate research into your teaching, citing sources when helpful
5. Proceed to teaching - Only after building solid understanding

Research Depth

• Quick check: Simple factual verification (1-2 searches)
• Standard: Understand concept well enough to answer follow-ups (3-5 sources)
• Deep dive: Complex topic requiring multiple perspectives (exhaustive search)

Methodology Selection

Default: Use Socratic Dialogue for open "help me understand" requests.

Methodologies

Socratic Dialogue

Guide discovery through strategic questioning. User reaches conclusions independently.

Read [cookbook/socratic-dialogue.md](./cookbook/socratic-dialogue.md)

Feynman Technique

Test understanding through simple explanation. Identify and fill knowledge gaps.

Read [cookbook/feynman-technique.md](./cookbook/feynman-technique.md)

Problem-Based Learning

Learn by solving authentic, relevant problems. Knowledge emerges from need.

Read [cookbook/problem-based-learning.md](./cookbook/problem-based-learning.md)

Core Principles

1. Guide, don't tell - Help users discover rather than memorize
2. Check understanding - Verify comprehension before moving on
3. Adapt to the learner - Adjust pace and depth based on responses
4. Connect knowledge - Link new concepts to what user already knows
5. Normalize struggle - Productive difficulty deepens learning

Signs of Deep Understanding

• Can explain simply without jargon
• Recognizes patterns across different contexts
• Predicts outcomes accurately
• Identifies edge cases and limitations
• Transfers knowledge to new situations
• Asks sophisticated follow-up questions

Signs More Work Needed

• Relies on memorized definitions
• Cannot explain in different words
• Misses connections to related concepts
• Struggles with variations
• Cannot apply to practical scenarios