Chapter one was very interesting, the section that really caught my attention was the part on learning with understanding. I agree with this type of learning. Through my middle school years majority of my teachers would base their test and style of teaching on memorization and I really felt as if I was not gaining and absorbing the information taught. They did not challenge me to dig deeper for more understanding of the subject matter. I would have rather learned and understood what was being taught then just merely memorizing.
When I became a special education teacher at John F. Kennedy High School, I did use the memorization way of teaching but only for facts that needed to be memorized such as mathematical formulations or historical dates. I believe that students what to know why they are learning the information be taught. My students were interested on what made the facts so interesting or important.
By using the learning to understand technique students will obtain and understand more information when asked a question. In addition students will feel more confident when answering questions on subject matter. And information taught to them will be stored in long term memory rather then short term memory.
2 comments:
Devi,
Like you, I had some professors and teachers who taught their subjects with masterful regurgitation of facts and figures devoid with explanation of their importance and values. This experience not only led me to lost focus but also lost interest in my studies. Only later did I realize that these information I memorized had more impact in terms of decision making and of morality.
I believe that we were given such an experience to become catalysts of change in the classroom. Our students need to find relevance in their studies to each of their lives. This is our obligation.
I know that you will agree with me that we cannot be like those teachers of ours. We can be better than them. We can make a difference.
More power to you!
Norman
Most of my classes were based on memorization as well. Truthfully, though, that is the way I wanted it. I would cram only for the test, do fine on the test, and then forget the material. I did this all through college. I even mastered (this is the truth) the ability to study while I slept. I dreamed the stuff I needed to memorize so that when I awoke I had it down. I believe, though, that I have since lost this ability. :(
Anyway, where that really hurt me was during finals. There was just too much information to memorize, and I had already erased all the crammed info months before. For this reason finals were always such a big stress for me. Perhaps if all of the teaching had not been based on straight memory I would have done better in the exams.
Then again, I would not have mastered the ability to study while I slept either.
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