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Learning is based on interest
Learning is based on interest. In normal life experiences we learn best that in
which we are interested. Which would a fifteenyear-old boy learn best: to drive
a car or to wash dishes? Certainly, he would learn to drive a car. Why? He is
far more interested in learning to drive a car. When we analyze this rather
simple illustration more closely, the factor of interest becomes even more
significant. In spite of the groans that accompany the chores of dish washing,
learning to drive an automobile is far more difficult than learning to wash
dishes. It demands far more concentration. It puts a great deal more pressure on
the learner. There is much more likelihood of failure in learning to parallel
park. But the fifteen-year-old boy gives himself with vigor to the task of
learning to drive. Why?
His desire to drive is so strong it makes him willing to pay whatever
price is necessary for success. Are adolescents (or adults) afraid of
hard work? Not necessarily. They will work hard at difficult tasks if
their interest is strong enough to make the work worthwhile.
What does this say to those who teach Sunday School? If this is the way
God has made us, if this is the way we learn, then we must recognize and
observe this principle in our teaching. It means that the question, "How
can I arouse the interest of my class in this study?" is just as
important as the question, "What am I going to teach them in this
study?" Unfortunately, many of our teachers have been concerned only
with the second question. They have spent long hours in study preparing
what to teach, but they have given little or no consideration to the
task of arousing the curiosity and stimulating the interest of the group
in that particular study. Of course, what we teach is basic and
fundamental; we must teach them the truth of God's Word. But often we
merely expose people to the Bible truth, and the exposure does not take.
Will our class members actually learn what we teach? That is determined,
at least in part, by how interested they are in the study.
Edge, Findley B. (1999-01-01). Teaching for Results (p. 25). B&H
Academic. Kindle Edition.
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