The commonest error of the gifted scholar, inexperienced…
““The commonest error of the gifted scholar, inexperienced in teaching, is to expect pupils to know what they have been told. But telling is not teaching. The expression of facts that are in one's mind is a natural impulse when one wishes others to know these facts, just as to cuddle and pat a sick child is a natural impulse. But telling a fact to a child may not cure his ignorance of it any more than patting him will cure his scarlet fever. (p. 61)””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Teaching requires guiding learners to discover, not just stating facts; understanding comes from active engagement.
In simple terms: Teaching is more than telling facts.
Key Takeaway
Encourage active learning.
Themes
education
learning
pedagogy
Mood
reflective
instructive
Type
didactic
motivational
When to use this quote
- classroom instruction
- mentoring
- training workshops
- online courses
Key Concepts
constructivism
cognitive development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you prompt students to construct knowledge?
- What strategies turn passive listening into active understanding?
A Different Perspective
Learners may still miss concepts without proper scaffolding.