Definition
An instructional approach in which the instructor presents information in small, pre-digested pieces and expects the learner to simply accept and memorize it, rather than think it through, question it, or apply it. In adult flight training, spoon-feeding is generally considered ineffective because adult learners need to engage with material actively to retain and use it.
Plain English
Handing the student answers in small, easy bites instead of letting them work things out for themselves.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor training, lesson planning, and discussions about teaching adult learners.
Derivation
From the literal act of feeding a baby with a spoon — small, soft portions delivered straight into the mouth so no chewing is required. Applied to teaching, it captures the idea of giving information in such small, pre-processed pieces that the learner doesn't have to do any mental 'chewing.'
Why Pilots Care
Adult pilot students learn and retain information better when they participate actively; spoon-feeding reduces engagement and long-term understanding.
Intuition Check
Spoon-feeding does not mean clear instruction is bad. It means the instructor is giving away the thinking the learner needs to practice.
Example Sentence 1
Rather than spoon-feeding the answer, the instructor asked the student why the aircraft was drifting left on the runway.
Example Sentence 2
New CFIs sometimes fall into spoon-feeding when they provide the exact answer to every question during ground instruction.