Inquiry Based Learning

ROTE LEARNING KILLS CREATIVE THINKING 

The Need for INQUIRY BASED LEARNING SYSTEM which is more STUDENT-CENTRIC in design

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Here is quote from Liddel Hart (quoted by Norman Dixon on page 162 of his book “On The Psychology of Military Incompetence”):

A lifetime of having to curb the expression of original thought culminates so often in there being nothing left to express

Think about it.

Isn’t the present day rote learning type education system doing exactly this...?

And – so is the “do as you are told” management philosophy – prevalent in most organisations. 

There is a saying:

If You Don’t “Use” It – Then You Will “Lose” It

It is the same with your brain – especially the right side of your brain. 

If you keep restraining your creativity from realizing its full potential – if you curb your imagination and suppress your original thinking – a time will come when you will lose the ability to think imaginatively and ingeniously.

After some time – you will become like a mechanical “robot” – and you will unthinkingly and unquestioningly do what you are told.

That is what the prevalent teacher-centric rote learning education system and “do as you are told” work culture is achieving.

Do we want our children to become “robots”...?

Or – should we not introduce a more student centric Inquiry Based Learning System...?

Remember the saying:

Tell me and I Forget 

Show me and I Remember 

Involve me and I Understand

Involvement is the sine qua non of holistic learning.

Mere “Telling” and “Showing” is not enough – as this will not encourage development of creativity and stimulate imagination. 

It is “involvement” that will kindle and inspire original thinking which in turn will facilitate realization of one’s full potential. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

This was written during my teaching days as a Professor at IAT Pune – and have I posted it online in my blogs a number of times including at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/06/inquiry-based-learning-system-student.html