The Tact of Teaching: The Meaning of Pedagogical Thoughtfulness

by Max Van Manen

In this book, the author offers beginning and veteran teachers an original and inspiring interpretation of the notion of pedagogy, one that searches for its roots in the experience in loco parentis. The author defines pedagogical reflection as the endeavor to influence the good effect that teachers may have on children; pedagogical thoughtfulness is the way that educators grow, change, and deepen their sense of self as the result of reflecting on living with children; and pedagogical tactfulness is the increased sensitivity that educators demonstrate as they deal with young people in everyday educational situations.

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1991

About the author

At present Max van Manen is involved is a post-retirement teaching program at the University of Alberta where he has been teaching the doctoral research seminar Phenomenological Research and Writing. In addition Max van Manen is working of several books on phenomenological methodology and pedagogy as an ethical practice.
http://www.maxvanmanen.com/

Reviews

[Sean Legnini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I wish I had read when I was doing my teacher training, though I wonder how much of it would have landed had I not begun to study phenomenology. van Manen takes so much from this philosophical position and teaches us about the embodiment of teaching - the pre-reflective tact that orients us towards teaching, towards our students. Thoughtful reflection on our pedagogical moves brings about a stronger tact, a more refined ability to respond to situations and react with confidence. If we think of building our tact, we might rely less on the trends of pedagogies, techniques, and skills that come and go. If you’re interested, I wrote a bit about pedagogical tact’s connection to phenomenology here - https://open.substack.com/pub/seanisd...

[Seyed mohamad banaei · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was beyond my imagination. It changed my mind about education and teaching completely.
The meaning of tact is even deeper than it looks. Tactful teacher can not be tought or raised. Being a tactful teacher is more about listening to thoughtful experiences of tactful teachers.
The point that I loved in the book was that tact is neither an idealistic or theoretical concept, nor practical one. It is something in between. I as a practitioner in education found its examples and ideas more than useful.