The following is from the book Myths: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo. How well do you know fact from fiction?
FICTION: The only plausible theory for the extinction of dinosaurs offered by scientists is that a giant comet struck the earth and caused the cataclysmic ice age, which killed them off 65 million years ago.
FACT: There is one other important theory about the dinosaur’s extinction which says that up until flowering plants came along about 65 million years ago (suspiciously, the same time dinosaurs became extinct), dinosaurs ate things like pine needles and other plants full of natural oils. When they had to switch to flowering plants and things like spinach, they all died of constipation (really, I’m not making this up.)
FICTION: Knowledge is more important than imagination, and skill is more important than enthusiasm.
FACT: It’s a good thing we don’t really have to choose either/or among those dynamics, but truth be told, overall, imagination and enthusiasm are more important. Einstein, himself a person who knew a lot, said that “Imagination is more important than knowledge.†And in teaching, an enthusiastic teacher will usually have more impact in the lives of her learners than the most competent but unimaginative teacher. Enthusiasm is contagious. It communicates that you believe in what you are teaching. It inspires the heart as well as ignites the imagination. Wrap a truth in hard facts and cold data and people will remain skeptical. Say the same truth with enthusiasm and conviction and people will embrace it and believe it. It’s what keeps charlatans and late night infomercial programs in business. But the good teacher also knows that “enthusiasm is knowledge on fire.†Strive to be enthusiastic in your teaching. Like the preacher who writes in the margin of his sermon notes, “Weak point, pound pulpit,†it will help make up for a lot of personal teaching deficits!
You can order a copy of the book Myth: Fact and Fiction about Teaching and Learning by Israel Galindo (ISBN 0-9715765-4-8) directly from Educational Consultants or Amazon.com.
