sage on the stage

plural sages on the stage · plural sages on stages · alternative sage on a stage

1. derogatorymildlysometimeseducationAn educator, especially at the postsecondary level, who imparts knowledge by lecturing to an audience; the method of imparting knowledge used by such an educator.

   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."

   1981 August 6, “‘Gifted Students’ Classes Offered”, in Harlan Daily Enterprise, USA, retrieved 01 Sep 2013, page 5

   2 more examples

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

   2006 August 25, Nina Vizcarrondo, “Sci-Fi Today, Sci-Fact Tomorrow”, in Time, retrieved 01 Sep 2013

   But the limitations of the method as usually employed — . . . its fostering of passivity on the part of those students not involved in the dialogue, and its privileging of the professor as the sage on the stage — are serious impediments.

   2011 December 15, Robert D. Dinerstein, “Limitations to the Method”, in New York Times, retrieved 01 Sep 2013