English

Noun

guide on the side ‎(plural guides on the side)

1. (education) An educator whose method is to provide students with occasional advice, assistance, and correction while allowing them to explore a subject area independently or by interacting among themselves; this educational method itself.
   • 1981 August 6, "‘Gifted Students’ Classes Offered," Harlan Daily Enterprise (USA), p. 5 (retrieved 1 Sept 2013):

     Mrs. Johnson said the teacher for the gifted and talented will be more of a "guide on the side" rather than a "sage on the stage."

   • 2005 April 13, Jennifer Toomer-Cook, "2 Utah teachers win presidential awards," Deseret Morning News (retrieved 1 Sept 2013):

     Skousen, a chemist's daughter, directs her third-graders to conduct hands-on experiments — her force and motion unit is particularly popular — with self-discovery as their learning compass. "I act as the mentor, the guide on the side," Skousen said.

   • 2006 August 25, Nina Vizcarrondo, "Sci-Fi Today, Sci-Fact Tomorrow," Time (retrieved 1 Sept 2013):

     Case Western has always been an advocate of what Williams calls the "sage on the stage versus the guide on the side" learning method.

Usage notes

• This term is often used in contrast with the the term sage on the stage, which refers to an alternative educational method.