The professor entered our classroom on the first day of class and began
lecturing as he walked between the rows of chairs. He introduced himself and
stated that there would be two tests in the class; one over the first half of
the text book and one over the second half. Material from his lectures would
also be on the tests, so we better take copious notes.
I partnered with a friend (Steve) to study for the tests. About two
weeks out from the first exam, we created lists of items from the first half of
the text and compiled lists of important topics from the lecture notes. This is
when I discovered the power of note cards as a study tool. Steve and I created acronyms,
lists, and questions of everything we could imagine that would be on the test.
We quizzed each other for days, and stayed up all night before the test. When
7:30 a.m. rolled around, we were already seated in the class and ready for the
test. We were usually the first ones finished with the test – which we aced
with no problem!
Here is the sad part; I don’t remember the name of the course or
anything on the tests. I only remember the process of memorizing information to
get an “A” in the course.
What did I learn? Techniques to memorize material? Absolutely! But
where was the critical thinking and interaction with the content of the course?
How did I cognitively connect information with practical application? Or, was
the purpose of the course to be impressed with the professor’s knowledge and
his gracious sharing with the unlearned. I’m sorry, what was the question?
The past 25 years in education have left an indelible mark on my life.
Learning is more than education and assessments. It goes deep into the soul of
the person and changes their perspective of the world and their place and
purpose in life. Here are 5 things that I have “learned” from my experiences.
1.
The issue is not unanswered questions; the issue
is unquestioned answers. Learning is more than discovering the correct answer,
it is discovering truth. We may miss the truth if all we are seeking is the
correct answer. Asking questions provokes critical thinking more so than merely
providing answers. Questions can be threatening to the person who can only
provide answers.
2.
Learning
is both a shared spiritual and deeply personal pilgrimage – it’s not something I
give “to” students – it’s something I “do” with them. Gone are the days, at
least they should be waning, where the teacher is the keeper of all knowledge.
Learning is the sharing of thoughts and the exchange of ideas and concepts, and
the freedom to be wrong within the safe environment of a learning community.
3.
Yes, unequivocally,
learning involves the mastering of information; students must know certain
content before they can move to the next level. The basics of math and grammar
must be grasped so that higher order thinking processes develop. The what (content) should lead to discovery
of the why and how of understanding and application.
4.
We have been raising an isolated generation
since the advent of Walkman Radios and headphones. Now we have a generation
raised on IPhones and IPads with ear buds and blue tooth devices. The
electronics are more advanced, but people are still isolated from humanity. We
must open their hearts before we open their minds.
5.
We learn lessons from the school of suffering that
we can learn in no other way. Learning and change are inextricably linked to
the reality of human suffering.
We live in an educational environment where
learning is defined by assessment scores and academic benchmarks. Both of these
are good, but learning is more than percentages and numeric averages. It is
possible to pass the test and fail to learn what is truly meaningful and
necessary in life.
Experience: that most brutal of teachers, but you learn, my
God do you learn.
(C. S. Lewis)
Continually learning…
Elton O. Brooke, Ed. D.
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