This week I had a test for my history of creativity class. This class will cover my civilization credit for my generals. It is an interesting class and I enjoy the lectures. This week the test covered about 8 different chapters and 8 powerpoints all with 40 to 50 slides each. What did I do? I sat down at the library and memorized for hours on end.
While taking the test I was excited that I had prepared well. I knew everything on the test and I'm confident I will receive a good score (the tests are graded later). While walking out of the testing center back to my car, I didn't feel too accomplished. I really didn't learn the material I had just memorized a lot of facts and then brain dumped. In the end I will do well in the class, but I don't know if I will be able to say if I've learned much.
I realize that this general education class offers good information. I just want a desire to actually learn the material and not just memorize it. My goal is to find how the content in this class can apply to me. If I am able to do that I will be able to have a greater desire to learn the material. If anyone has an idea to foster a desire to learn a subject that one has no desire to learn please let me know!
Jake, I feel the same way sometimes about my work at school. Sometimes I feel like I'm being trained how to be a robot, not a learner at school. I simply take in information and spit it back out. It can be hard to gain a love for learning and not a love for getting by with an A. Learning takes patience. I've found that when I procrastinate or study late at night, I'm just trying to get through the material. If I plan well, and find the time to study the material and ask questions as I go, I'm learning and not just memorizing. It takes a lot of patience and good planning. You're on the right track, we'll get it down in the Jr. Core. Thanks for your post.
ReplyDeleteI thought a lot about the difference between knowledge and education last semester. Many of my peers focus on their education at BYU, on doing the least amount of work possible to get the best grades. They usually just want to get through the next semester. A select few I admire instead put an emphasis on the knowledge they gain. They realize that there's a reason professors make us jump through all the hoops and take all the tests they do. They learn things, and then they apply them. They constantly seek to learn more. They are examples to me, and how I want to be with my education.
ReplyDeleteMan I think that school is tough! So many different classes and so much information to remember. I don't know where the line is between getting good grades and actually learning the information. Too bad the school system rewards people for just straight memorization. Hopefully we can remember and learn the info the best we can.
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