How We Learn

Location: home
Mood: calm

I’m reading this book (My Ishmael), and the part I’ve just read through brought up some interesting arguments. Very pertinent to my life.

The way we teach people is kind of screwed up. We put people through 12-14 years of classes that teach them all kinds of theories and philosophies that may be helpful when they graduate and enter the job market. When they do exactly that, they have absolutely no experience. They have all kinds of theories and ideas floating around in their heads, but they have no practical knowledge or experience.

For thousands and thousands of years people have learned by seeing. We learn how to talk by being around others who talk. We hear their words, and figure out for ourselves how to use them. The same thing goes for walking, reading, and interacting with one another. So, how come at some point we decide to ship kids off to facilities where they sit in a desk and stare at someone who merely explains things to them?

I’m not saying that I think people shouldn’t go to school, but I am saying that schools should reevaluate their practices. You can’t merely explain complicated procedures to people and expect them to be able to do them. You can’t just tell someone how to solve for x, and expect them to be able to do it under any and all circumstances.

I think that the way we teach math proves my point. Math teachers do more than just explain the theory of algebra. They show you. They do a countless number of problems on the white-erase board, or on an overhead projector. They give their students problems to try on their own. Then, when their students still need help, math teachers do the problems with them thus helping them to see how they are done.

With all this evidence around that shows us how we learn, why do we continue to teach the way we do? Whether they know it or not, people don’t believe it works either. Certain jobs require you to have certain degrees. Many require a bachelor’s degree, but when you finally receive that degree you have no more knowledge about how to perform that job. People clearly don’t believe this process works. This is proved by the fact that the people who do the hiring normally pass over the fully qualified applicants in favor of those who have experience.

Whether we are aware of it or not, we prefer to employ people who have seen and done the work.

Why does the system work the way it does? Education should involve practical experience. Also, I think that employers should provide training for new employees that includes SHOWING them what to do. Sometimes these things are done, but most of the time they aren’t. What’s the point in continuing a process that doesn’t work?