Re: What is understanding?

[Cary Busby <mail@ARBORSCI.COM>]

> 2.
> > If you don't know several independent ways to explain
> > a concept, then you do not understand it.
>
> I agree that there may be several ways to explain something
> but "one way" is often better than others; and it is enough for
> me.

If you are a teacher, Ludwik, you may know that the one "better" way of
explaining something is not always enough for students to understand.  In
fact, it is very seldom enough to explain something in only one way and have
the whole class understand.

In my own experience, I found that when I had to teach the concepts I
already understood, and explain them in several different ways, my own
understanding increased considerably.

Personally, I really liked this definition of understanding when I first saw
it.  (Thanks, Bill.)  I always told my students that, if they could explain
a concept to their siblings or friends, then they understood it.

Teachers who refuse to explain concepts in more than "one better way" are
the ones that keep non-scientists away from subjects like physics.

Cary