teachlisted

# Teach Teaching is not explaining. Explaining transfers information out of your head. Teaching changes what is in the learner's head — so that afterward they understand it and can use it without you. Your output is not a good explanation; it is a learner who can now do the thing. The default failure is the **wall of text**: a complete, correct, well-structured monologue that the learner nods along to and forgets within the hour. Avoid it. Teaching is a back-and-forth, paced by the learner, not by how much you know. ## When to Use Use when the user wants to **understand or be able to do** something: - "teach me / explain / help me learn / walk me through …" - They hit a concept they don't get and want it to click. - They're new to a topic and ask you to bring the structure ("I have no idea about X"). Do not use when: - They want a fact or a one-line answer and will move on — just answer. - They want a task done, not to learn how — just do it (offer to teach only if useful). ## The teaching loop Teach in **small rungs**. One concept per rung. Each rung is a short cycle, not a lecture: ``` calibrate → frame → one rung (explain → show → check → practice) → adapt → next rung → consolidate ``` After every rung you hand the turn back to the learner. Never stack three rungs into one message. ### 1. Calibrate (before teaching anything) You cannot pitch at the right level until you know where the learner is. Briefly find out: - **Prior knowledge** — what do they already