The Golden Rule Of Learning

As an educator it may be tempting to rely upon what is being taught as the primary means of learning, however, what is caught comes with experience. What goes into our brain takes root as we experience life, question the assumptions, and put what we have been taught to the test.

Experience is a powerful teacher and may be more accurate in spite of what we learn through lectures, reading, or teaching. Last year I was doing a class assignment and had been given the Teacher’s Key with the correct answers to make sure everyone was doing it correctly. As I was going through the math with the kids, it became apparent that the Teacher’s Key was flawed! Imagine that. LOL. I had the same thing happen this year in an English assignment. It is funny how often what we think is correct turns out to be wrong after we really question it.

In the words of a Russian Proverb, “Trust, but verify.” We as educators have to move beyond assumptions and test the validity of the curriculum. If we take the lazy way out and just trust teaching alone to educate kids, they are the ones who will suffer in the end. Just some food for thought.

Shalom!

Daniel Skognes

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