What we need to teach
We still have school systems that teach and test one competency: memorization. It’s actually a requirement for getting into first grade, therefore is something that not only doesn’t need to be taught, but can’t be taught. It’s a function of neurophysiology and psychology. If students fail in tests, it’s not usually because they lack the inner hardware and software for memorization but because of other life factors interfering. If testing is supposed to assess a teacher’s ability to teach memorization, again, the flaw of logic is that any neurophysiological function can be taught.
What students need to learn is how to do research, especially in this knowledge and information age where everything we everything need to know in knowledge domains is somehow accessible through Google. What isn’t, is available through our social networks. Research is higher on the taxonomy scale of competencies and therefore cannot be assessed through tests, particularly research done via the media of social networks. This is learning how to ask better questions, locate better sources, and use what they learn to do something that will directly serve their lives and their communities.
January 24th, 2008 21:44
Oh, this is rich. What students need is *not* first the ability to research, but first the ability to be inquisitive…to know that what learning is about to recognize the not knowing and ask questions. Somehow we need to foster teachers who understand that the best lesson they can teach their students is to reach beyond what they do know.
Google, and other resources for sure, needs to be looked at objectively. It is possible to find both great and terrible answers to questions depending on the “popularity” of the answer. It is possible to gain good ground in beginning understanding from Google, but little more without in depth understanding.
Though not a proponent of internet learning, I am also not a detractor…I just think there needs to be better maturity to apply appropriate filters.
More importantly, we need mentors and teachers from whom we can learn to think critically; from whom we can understand that the best way to learn is to ask questions.
We find our place through questioning. Our communities *should* support that.