Twilight's teaching methods

[Cwanky 17,645]

Celestia methods as a teacher are nothing new. Fans have persistently agonized over her indifference and often wholly lacking presence in the series, particularly when it comes to serving as a role model to Twilight. Celestia as a character and her teaching methods, aren't that far apart from Albus Dumbledore. They both are, or at least appear to be quite knowledgeable and capable, yet they frequently appear absent from their pupils despite insisting on instructing them.

 

The question always arises: how effective is this teaching strategy and relationship of instructing, but rarely actually showing up? Well now in Season 6, Twilight herself has become a teacher to Starlight:

 

 

Frankly I am very conflicted, but I lean towards lacking confidence in Twilight's abilities as a teacher thus far from what we've seen in The Crystalling premiere. Yes Twilight will and has been very busy, but surely she can make some time for the person she promised to make her student. Moreover, how can Twilight truly teach Starlight about friendship if she isn't around much to be her friend?

 

Its nice to see Starlight learning on her own, but its questionable whether such a hands off approach on its own is sustainable. I feel if its maintained it may drive Starlight to make questionable decisions again, much as it Discord when he felt neglected.

 

 

[On-Locoweed 108]

You can only teach how to friendship so much before some autonomy is required. I think it's chiefly important that Twilight remain a good role model and an active presence in Starlight's friendship therapy. What she has learned from Celestia is leadership and a wise passivity that guides others to use their intuitions to make the right decision (though maybe Twilight can perfect this method). What she has learned from her friends is how to actually treat other ponies, and perhaps most importantly that one can friendship by oneself. There's no magic if there's not that spark, that necessary collaborative symbiosis. Twilight has some things to learn about fully coming into her own role, but she's capacious enough to pass on a few friendship lessons. Starlight just needs a few good lessons that Twilight had to learn before she takes off the training wheels, but I bet it wouldn't hurt for them to be actual friends too instead of just a student-mentor relationship.

Edited April 13, 2016 by On-Locoweed

[Scootalove 10,689]

Maybe Twilight's teaching methods could use a little more work from the premiere, I'm sure later down the line she'll let Starlight make her own decisions and be there to guide her when needed.

[Luminance 2,187]

I feel like the teacher to student relationship between Twilight and Starlight seem forced. Sure, her chances of betraying the mane 6 are zero but just be true to yourself and let friendship come naturally. It's not like Celestia told Twilight and the others to keep an eye on Starlight just like Discord but you know, Discord is Discord. I hope that Twilight could eventually see that Starlight is capable and can take care of herself.

[cmarston1 5,960]

Hopefully this can lead to some good character development for Twilight.

[ManaMinori 4,146]

I like ho Testing, Testing 1,23 forshadowed Twi being a teacher

What I don't like is Twi thinking tht friendship lessons are textbook application for Starlight. You can't sit out nd write a friggin friendshp lesson plan for someone you learn it by exeriencing it on your own. Twilight did, because Sunbutt threw her out on her own to make friends. No list, no "this what you're going to learn and it has to be doe this way."

[SaraEH 398]

I think that later this season, Twilight would be more hands on. Mainly because they are friends and live together. Im also sure that twilight would like to see if she can learn somthing new about friendship, while watching Starlight blossom