Why? Why? Why?
We all know that little children incessantly ask the question WHY? until we are ready to run screaming from their vicinity (not wise when in a moving car). This natural curiosity is a key driver for learning what is new in the world, and is the primary way that little children manage to put their world together so that it makes sense.
Last year, one of my students blogged about the Socratic Method of learning. One of the points she brought up the speech she made was about children asking the question why? According to Grais and Person (1994), children stop asking why within about three months of entering formal education (they change the nature of their questions to ones the teachers can answer). This is sad beyond belief.
As an educator teaching adults in a higher education setting, I think that one of my primary responsibilities is to foster your natural curiosity. Get you asking why again, and equip you with the tools that will allow you to begin to answer some of those questions. That is the principle reason why I don’t spend a great deal of time in front of you telling you stuff. You’ve lived that model for a million years of education so far, and I feel that you need to start exploring again – ask why, and then look for the answer.
Stats and research methods are all about how you find the answers. In order for your education (at this level) to have any real impact on your life, you need to start asking the why(s) again. The joy of learning grows as you become brave enough to ask why (and not just write notes of everything the “teacher” says) , and figure out how to find the answers yourselves.
I would have enjoyed and learned far more in stats had i had the chance to discuss and debate how and why one analysis in a situation is better than another. As someone who did not get the opportunity to learn more about stats in this way I just want to say use it!! Argue and debate and discuss, it is benificial to be able to defend why you did something to your peers and why you make your points. It will help you to gain a more well rounded view. I loved the blogging module and can say it was probably my favourite module of my time as an undergraduate because i learned so much, which i still use and talk about today.
Don’t see it as a chore – see it as a chance to explore and really enjoy your education
Yes, whilst I fully appreciate what you are aiming to achieve. Please understand that there are also mature students who have returned to learning with considerable family committments who are trying to read the subject and who try very hard to juggle life with study. Its hard to have a pc glued to your hip 24/7. Blogging’s great I agree but the required responses to meet the grades is hard going.
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