One can learn through being taught. Can one be taught to learn? In the article "Rigor Redefined" the writer Tony Wagner spent time further examining this question. He conversed with business, non-profit, philanthropic and education leaders. Once he had a better idea idea of what skills graduates will need to posses in the real world, he observed classrooms to find out if the schools here in the U.S.A are efficiently teaching the skills business leaders are looking for. What he learned over the course of his journey was a little surprising.
When talking to Clay Parker, president of the Chemical Management BOC Edwards, Wagner was some what taken aback by Parker's responses. Parker first stated he looks for someone who asks good questions that are relevant and will move the discussion forward. The problem Parker said is that you can't tech people how to think or learn. This blog, this personal learning network, is forcing me to work my thinking ability. It isn't necessarily teaching me how to think per say, rather it is enhancing my ability to think. It's making me push and connect my thoughts. The pln's I write weekly challenge me to state my thoughts, yet ask relevant, intelligent questions. When teachers hand the reigns of choice to the student the student is able to learn what is going to be important for their future. The outcome of this method is (according to Wagner's studies) very effective. Students have always been able to think what they want about what they are taught. Now some are able to choose what they are taught.
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