Commodity Quote by John Dewey
“Teaching can be compared to selling commodities. No one can sell unless someone buys ... yet there are teachers who think they have done a good day's teaching irrespective of what the pupils have learned.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Experience and Education, John Dewey, 1938
Teaching should be judged by student learning, not teacher effort; education is a reciprocal exchange.
In simple terms: Teaching measured by learning.
Key Takeaway
Focus on student outcomes.
Themes
education
assessment
learning
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- classroom teaching
- online courses
- training workshops
Key Concepts
Pedagogy
constructivism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can teachers reliably assess student understanding?
- What feedback loops improve teaching effectiveness?
A Different Perspective
Measuring learning is complex; outcomes may be indirect or long‑term.
![“Teaching is a creative profession, not a delivery system. Great teachers do [pass on information], but what great teachers also do is mentor, stimulate, provoke, engage.” quote by Ken Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/913/ken-robinson-2219_creative_teaching-is-a-creative-profession-not-a_3017001.jpg)
