Some Points of Utility to Both Learners and Educators

1. Effective learning should involve in the "visual talking" of the learners. Learning is based on the previous knowledge and experience of the learners, and some of the misconceptions built on the past will impede the current understanding of a subject matter. Therefore, it is essential for the teachers to understand the assumptions of different learners they bring to the classroom. One of the way to do it is exactly through letting learners talk and discuss the matters.

2. There are different models of learning. Learner-centered learning, which focuses on the learner's own rationales and experiences and needs and characteristics etc. Knowledge-centered learning, which focuses on the impartation of knowledge. Assessment-centered learning, which constantly gives learners feedbacks of their progress. Community-centered learning, which actively engage learners with their family, tv and community at large.

3. Learners own conception of learning influence the way they learn. One type of learners believe intelligence as a stationary state, therefore they are performance-oriented, meaning they always try to make good performances, and avoid mistakes and challenges. Another type of learners believe intelligence to be progressive, therefore they are more willing to meet challenges and make mistakes. The implication is that teachers can help change learner's assumption of intelligence to the best learning result of them.

4. Understanding is more important than remembering facts. The study of experts show that they have more profound knowledge of a certain subject, although they may not remember as many facts as novices.

-------------中文的一些想法------------------------------------------
这本书其中谈到一个好的教学方法是让学习者把自己的思维过程以dialogue的方式呈现出来，并且积极得参与到和同伴的讨论当中去，通过和同伴的互动，以某一学科的属于阐述道理，互相争辩，纠正错误，达成一致，这一互动过程正是有效学习的一个核心。我这学期学的一门课，其中有40%的成绩是小组负责教授一整堂课，讲述该星期负责的一本书或者一个国际组织。我发现自己一个人学习的话好像很多东西限于半懂不懂的朦胧状态，而且很多知识都是在考试之后就忘掉了。但是因为要和组员不断的group discussion,设计课程内容，我必须用英文阐述我的想法，必须把我的思维过程给speak out,并且也通过讨论更好的了解组员的想法，这让我对自己的书或者组织的了解加深了很多。


这学期跟着参观了很多美国的中学，其中也看到一些先进的教学方法，也与书中讲述的一些理念相一致。比如我参观一所学校，采用的padeia教学法正是老师以seminar的形式，给同学们展示两幅古埃及的画，给学生们提出问题，比如你从这幅画中看到了什么，然后让学生们自己讨论，老师不做任何的干涉，只是在一旁记录学生的互动；当一个问题结束后，老师再提出下一个问题，学生们继续争辩，有时候也在讨论中提出新的问题。总之老师不是lecturer，而是一个facilitator.这种padeia教学法正是帮助老师了解孩子们学习时潜在的pre-conceptions,在了解学生已有知识体系的基础上更有效地教学。
(http://www.paideia.org/about-paideia/philosophy/)