Re: Unteachableness?

[Neal Lerner <nlerner@acs.bu.edu>]

Jim--I suppose the idealist in me resists the notion that anyone is 
"unteachable."  Since I've taught lots of non-traditional students, I 
might offer the observation that at certain times some students are more 
ready to learn than others.  Learning takes an open-mindedness, a 
willingness to take risks, a feeling of safety and who knows what else on 
the student's part.  To link this to the "is it fun?" thread, there's a 
certain irony, I suppose, that we find so many 18 year olds "unready" to 
learn.  Heck, I know I was at that age.

Others on this list have pointed out how important the variable of *time* 
is in learning.  But most educational systems have time slots that are 
chosen for reasons other than learning efficiency.  That's one of those 
institutional restrains we can't seem to overcome.

I believe in "life-long learning" (and, I guess, life-long teaching?).  
But maybe that's just because I don't believe anyone is ever quite 
finished with the process.

	Neal Lerner
	nlerner@acs.bu.edu