Accelerate students’ education by challenging them to contend widely accepted concepts. Trying to determine why something is inaccurate, develop alternative explanations, or generate solutions cultivates analytical skills while enhancing the understanding of a subject matter.
More than a decade ago, a high school student challenged her teacher on two principles of the physical law regarding the speed of light. First, she stated she felt other physical concepts suggested that the speed of light was inconstant. Second, if light was inconstant, she thought something could travel faster than the speed of light. Since then, the “law” regarding the speed of light has been challenged. Yet, rather than cultivating the opportunity for both the student and teacher to learn, the teacher discouraged further discussion regarding the matter.
Alternatively, a professor of Political Science requires his students to challenge a number of widely accepted political concepts taught in his course. Students have been compelled to find alternative explanations for actions of a group. According to the professor, this has led to stunning propositions that may be more reasonable, more accurate than those commonly held assertions.
By making it a course criterion, all participating students benefit from the experience, rather than just the single student who challenges a lesson. The benefit is further enhanced if the students’ conclusions are delivered in presentations facilitating discourse with other students.
