'Arena' VS 'Classroom'

­The Hiner Method recognizes two contrasting approaches to presenting information: the "Arena" and the "Classroom."

The "Arena" refers to an approach that can be used in a dialogue so that people who disagree can reach the truth in the course of a dispute, a performance or even a conflict.

In this case, "Get off at the arena" means to express your own opinion or belief or to share knowledge that is different from others’ opinions. "Access to the arena" is used to describe any statement to the public that appeals to common ideas and opinions.

There are certain rules of the "arena" that everyone who opposes another person’s opinion should know.  The most important rule is that in the arena, you will most likely meet the following groups of people:

1. Knockers. These people do not like you. Period. The reason is completely subjective. They don’t like you because of you. As a rule, knockers bring up completely absurd arguments, which are not related to your statements. There is no sense in trying to negotiate with knockers in the arena. They only need to be ignored
2. Critics. This is usually a confronting group that is familiar with the subject of your discussion. You can build your fight with them upon a properly structured argument, with any emotional involvement completely eliminated. Your argument should contain the following word: because. For example, “I think all music students should start learning piano because piano keys are representations of the Grand Staff.” Communicating with critics that are experts in your field while facing the challenges they give you, is very important for your growth. Critics help you hear other opinions, allowing you to see yourself in other people’s shoes. This is how your better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your argument becomes evident. If after saying the word “because,” you can give an argument that is difficult or impossible to refute, then your position is strong and deserves further attention and development.
3. Allies. In the arena, you can also see the people who have already done the same work on the topic and strongly support your position—these are your allies. Sometimes we take this group for granted and pay little attention to their judgment, trying to "fight" one-on-one with the opposite opinion—do not do it. Let your allies help you; often your allies in the arena can see the fight in their own way and can add very interesting arguments, which you may have overlooked or missed. The ability to hear your allies and to unite them—this is the most important skill of any leader.

Keep in mind that none of the above categories is absolute.

The boundaries between knockers, critics and allies are blurred. It should be understood that the "Arena" is about opposition, which advocates the ideas that you believe are the only truth. Since truth is also not absolute, the dispute afoot develops your own ideas and offers you a better understanding of your existent experiences and knowledge.

As a revolutionary approach to learning music, the Hiner method "enters the arena," in opposition to the way people have learned music for centuries. Therefore, understanding the nature of the arena is extremely important for any teacher or educator who chooses to take over the responsibility of using this new method.

On the other hand, the "Classroom" is the opposite of the arena.  It is where the teacher-student interaction is established.

Under no circumstances should a student ever be considered an opponent. He or she must be seen exclusively as your protégé. You are helping the student master knowledge, which your student does not doubt or dispute. In fact, your student has come to you to accept this information and learn all the concepts and techniques that you have already developed.

Your student comes to your classroom with complete openness, with no armor. 

Imagine the soft belly of a hedgehog – this is your student. You should always bring this image into your mind in your classroom setting.  

If you forget about the student’s tender side and accidently shift towards the “arena” during your lesson, it may greatly affect your student’s desire to learn. He/she will lose any feeling of support or security. It is really easy to hurt your students because their trust in you makes them very vulnerable.

Of course, your older students will be “fledged” sooner or later and will decide to challenge you; they will then enter the “arena” stage. All schools develop their students in this way.  

However, at the beginning it is very important to build a strict boundary between the “arena” and the “classroom.” It is important to remember that the teacher’s place is on the same side as the student – not on the opposite side. The challenges of gaining the new knowledge – this is what the formal “opponent” actually is.  It only makes sense to fight this problem together—in a partnership between teacher and student.

Your student can’t be a knocker, a critic or an ally of you personally. He/she can be such only towards the subject that you teach. Your personal responsibility is to help your student to handle all the obstacles in learning new information. Any fight – open or hidden – with your student or the family of your student damages a student’s learning in the “classroom” setting.

Here is an example.

If a student came to class without completing her homework, she didn’t do it to annoy you. It’s her resistance to the material, not you. Either the material was too complicated or the motivation was too weak.

If the parents of your student do not contribute to his/her home practice, it does not mean that they do it to spite you. Parents signed up for your classes and most often pay for them. They are on your side by default. Most likely, the main reason for their reluctance is that the material you have given their child is not clear to them so the homework is too difficult to understand and take charge of. Consequently, it is necessary to work on the motivation of the parents and equip them with knowledge and skills about how they can help their child practice successfully at home. 

The structure of the Hiner Method promotes effective work in the “classroom” stage. All elements of the system are created with a respect for the level of understanding in your student, while keeping in mind that his parents probably have a different, usually lower, level. It takes constant work from the teacher, parents, and student against the barriers that arise between the student and the knowledge that he wants to receive from you.

It is very important to keep the “arena” and “classroom” definitions in mind when dealing with students and colleagues. It helps you make the right decision and promotes education and progressive development of those who look up to you and those who challenge. Try to avoid confusing one with the other.