Think About This! // 2

'SMART ENOUGH'

I've been reading the book Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell, and am thoroughly inspired by it. Specifically, his concept and discussion on the notion of 'smart enough' caught my attention. It got me thinking about this...

Rote measures fall away when awareness kicks in. A student who believes and has imagination may take the world by surprise. Each student is uniquely gifted and is 'smart enough'. Fertilize this combination of belief and imagination with conversation, challenging scenarios and good old-fashioned structures within which to learn and the amalgamation for 'genius' unfolds. 

Education falls short when its measures are static, rote or absurd to the environment within which the student must function and thrive. In a 'classroom' filled with visual stimuli, moving objects, deep conversation and 'off-topic' improvisational laughter the student becomes engaged in a multi-facted and personally interested manner. Just as reading with enunciation and emotive nuance locks the meaning more deeply into the reader, the sparking of the emotive consciousness in the classroom triggers true learning. 

And yes, the smart teacher did the curriculum planning in August, has laid out the entire year in lessons and is completely and utterly aware of the essential outcomes of the common core. Knowing what must be taught, opens the door to "How is it to be taught?". This philosophical perspective does not eliminate optimal review cycles for learning important data, the need to take fastidious notes or the implementation of review. Successful educational practices are immersed into these environments. The student is still required to produce both verbal and written accent to the knowledge through application, through interpretation and beyond this; into influence. 

Each student is 'smart enough' and learns uniquely. This classroom of life and the microcosm portion that the school's classroom represents is the opportunity that the student has to find out how they learn, what triggers their unique genius and how their contributions will undoubtedly make a difference.