I was fascinated this year by the book, Why Don’t Students Like School?, by Daniel Willingham, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia. His research has focused on the brain basis of learning and memory and the application of cognitive psychology to K-16 education.
One of the concepts from this book that has been rolling around in my head is the need for the learner to attend to information being presented in order for it to be learned. A person receives information from his/her environment and uses his working memory to attend to the information. Once the information is understood the learner can store the information in long term memory and ultimately use that information in life. If the student doesn’t attend then she will be unable to move to understanding, store the information, and eventually use the information. This seems accurate to me, but I keep asking whose responsibility it is to make sure “attending” is happening when information is given?
It seems to me that the responsibility lies with the learner primarily because no one can force another person to attend to the information being provided. Could one of the implications of Jesus’ words “He who has ears, let him hear” be related to the need for attention when information is being given, especially when the Word of God is being taught/preached? “You have ears people” but hearing will involve attending, understanding, and obeying.
But the teacher has some responsibility, too, I think. I’m asking these questions: Do I teach too long? Am I boring? Do I engage the learner? Do I sense when people are drifting and try to bring them back? Do I ask them to turn off their phones, tablets, and laptops so they can attend to the information being presented by me or by their classmates?
I know that ultimately the truth of God is apprehended by a disciple because of the Holy Spirit’s work, and I’m convinced that those of us who teach and equip the saints must be guided by the Holy Spirit in our preparation and delivery. But I think teachers of God’s Word should engage learners in such a way that the mind is directed to attend to the information being provided.
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