Chapter 4

I really related to this chapter. Or my high school self did. I think engaging kids just to get them to pay attention let alone fully understand what they're paying attention to is a huge issue for students. All throughout high school and even sometimes now in college, teachers just teach AT us and students are not engaged. The majority of students will not pay attention because they don't feel like they need to. Like the example in the beginning of this chapter, if students were actually forced to be a part of their learning, through discussions for example, then I feel this would help them better understand the material. We have to be involved in what is being taught for us to be able to fully understand it. Taking notes on a subject doesn't mean a student understands it. But if a student can explain it back to someone or voice their opinion on the matter, it shows that they are getting it. The author's "dimensions of understanding" really emphasize this. With steps such as manipulating, exploring, and discussing kids are able to totally wrap there head around a subject rather than just memorizing a few bullet points.