A Lesson in Learning

Recently, while visiting a class taught by my son who is a professor in Business and Information Technology at Northern Illinois University, I was impressed with not only the content that was shared, but with the process he used to help students learn.  Here is what I observed in his teaching.  First, he presented information.  Then he explained the terms and concepts contained in the information which was presented.  Finally he illustrated the concepts with common examples which helped the students practically apply the information to real life situations.

As I watched and listened it dawned on me that I was observing a lesson in understanding.  The process of teaching that he used was the same process that is used in the Bible.  For example, in the Old Testament the children of Israel were gathered in a great assembly and Ezra the scribe was asked to open the book of the Law of Moses (the Scriptures) which they had not heard for the many years because they had previously been held in captivity in Egypt.  In the presence of the people we are told that he “read aloud” and “all the people listened intently” (Nehemiah 8:2).  The text continues by saying that some of the Levites, “Read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read” (Nehemiah 8:8).  The people didn’t know what to do with the new information they received so Nehemiah told them, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).  A little while later we see the people practically applying what they had learned. “Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them” (Nehemiah 8:12).  Note three things about this process of learning.

(1) The first step is information.  As Ezra and the Levites “read from the book of the Law of God” they were imparting valuable information for the people which was crucial to help them learn.

(2) The second step is explanation.  In order to make the information helpful they were “making it clear and giving the meaning.”  The information provided by these men needed to be expounded so it would become understandable.

(3) The third step is application.  In a practical way we find the people going to “eat and drink” and “celebrate with great joy.”  This was possible “Because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.”

Discovery is an exciting process.  If learning is to be useful it must include information, explanation, and practical application to real life situations.