J K Rowling on teaching

I've been re-reading book 5 of the Potter series, in preparation for the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on July 16 (47 days, 14 hours!). This time around I was very aware of some commentary on teaching methods in the book.

On page 239, a new and awful teacher of Harry's Defense Against the Dark Arts class is introduced. She speaks to them in a simpering voice as if they were 5 years old, makes them answer "Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge" in unison, then tells them to put their wands away. She writes "Defense Against the Dark Arts: A Return to Basic Principles" on the board, followed by the Course Aims:

1. Understanding the principles underlying defensive magic.
2. Learning to recognize situations in which defensive magic can legally be used.
3. Placing the use of defensive magic in a context for practical use.
   

After that they are told to read Chapter 1 of their textbook, Defensive Magical Theory, which is deadly boring.

In previous years, the students fought off dangerous creatures and spells and gained hands-on practice in defending themselves. But you'll note that the course aims don't mention actually using magic, which Hermione points out (after raising her hand first, and waiting to be called on, naturally).

"Using defensive spells?" Professor Umbridge repeated with a little laugh. "Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?"

...

"Surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?" [said Hermione.]

"Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?" asked Professor Umbridge in her falsely sweet voice.

"No, but--"

"Well, then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way.... [I]t is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about."

...

"And what good's theory going to be in the real world?" said Harry loudly, his fist in the air again.

Professor Umbridge looked up.

"This is school, Mr. Potter, not the real world," she said softly.

This teacher becomes surely the most hated character in the books, after Voldemort himself. What's more, she seizes more and more control over the school as the book progresses, outlawing student groups, wresting disciplinary power from the heads of the school houses, and conducting evaluations of the other teachers. I know I've been using the term a lot lately, but in the 5th Harry Potter book there is a creeping fascism which is (for a Potter fan) enraging to witness. Dolores Umbridge is at the heart of it.

Professor Umbridge, it transpires, is literally trying to prevent Hogwarts students from learning magic, both in her own class and by intimidating other teachers. The Ministry of Magic fears the school, its headmaster, and Harry Potter, and doesn't want any competitor to its powers. Talk about "dumbing us down"!

Harry and his friends respond by forming a group and secretly learning defensive magic on their own time, with excellent success (in spite of the lack of a Ministry-approved educator). All very interesting!