There is Great Beauty in the Simplest Notion

Great beauty can be found in the simplest notion. The core value inherent in every moment differs only in approach. The same may be said for education. Pi is as it was, revolutions remain cyclical, terminology affords a linguistic sign post. A good student, with or without guidance can learn the facts. It is the nuance that he would miss. The effective teacher shares an intellectual outline then colors it in innovation.

Author William Pollard wrote that “the arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient to tomorrow.” Too often we indoctrinate in the name of education. In a vacuum practice may indeed make perfect. Our world is not a perfect place. Life is not a multiple-choice question. To deal with difference and change we need subscribe to an emotional catalyst, curiosity.

I recently witnessed a unit taught on the science of flight. The students were young, the teacher flexible. How to explain the basics of aerodynamics to a class still negotiating their training wheels? A library assignment? Read the following pages, answer the following questions. Engage in Socratic discussion? Perhaps. However, we should remember that Socrates often walked about, played pied piper to Plato and friends.

In this instance the instructor returned to the basics. How will we learn about flight? We’ll fly. So each student built a kite. Some were marvelous, others testament to visualized confusion. One aspect was shared. All of the kites flew. All of the students observed and learned how to keep their creations in the air. In other words all learned through innovative experience. Every student in the class understood the principles of drafting and turning their kites. Innocent imagination was not stifled by tradition.

We are a young country. Our historical legacy is played in echoes. So be it. There is no need to look backwards in our classrooms. Computers, standardized tests and protocol have their place, as facilitators. True learning takes place on a picnic ground where 15 eight year olds are flying kites. The great and wondrous things that men dream are often cloaked in laughter. Innovation makes the lesson applicable to each individual. Education involves risk, the willingness to set aside formality and think outside the box. True teaching is an art. A master teacher begins with imitation but ends with innovation.