In all my years of teaching Computer science, I’m aware of the fact that it is 30 percent theory and 70 percent practical. I can go on and on about the rudiments of programming, application packages, but if the students do not sit down and practice by themselves, they won’t know anything.
Well I am not the sort that bores out the students with too much notes and explanation. The real teaching is done in the computer laboratory.
When I first started out to teach in the school, I was surprised when I took the students to the computer lab and most of them cannot even boot the computer system. I figured what they mostly did was only the theory aspect. What made it even more surprising to me was that the school has a complete and well equipped computer laboratory. Hence, I took it upon myself to start from the very basic with them, and gradually they came to know the basics of the computer system. Not to mention the excitement on their faces after they have completed their given projects.
This got me thinking…
No matter how often and rigorous the teaching is, there are just some certain lessons we have only when we have the experience. Not even solid advice can replace the need for the experience.
We have all been there, we would be given advice but neglect it. Only for us to regret why we did not pay heed to the advice later. That is just how life is. You cannot truly learn until you have seen, felt and heard.
It is also the best kind of lesson we can get. I only needed to teach the student once and they have gotten the hand of it. By the second time they are working it away by themselves. That is the power of personal experiences. It can teach you within some hours what you have been learning in years.
Now the problem is that sometimes, the outcome of learning from experiences is sometimes not pleasant. Every outcome cannot be like my students that gain a lot and positively. Some might turn out to be a horrible experience, and there is nothing we would not give to turn back the hands of the clock to undo the experience. This is where discernment comes in. There is a saying: “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself. We have people that have gone through the phase of life that we are currently going through. What helped them? What did not help them? After thinking deeply about those questions, you should know what to do. But in the case that you do not, and you go all in only for things to go south?
Well this is all what makes up life, isn’t it? Regardless, you have learnt what does not work. You have figured out what you should not do the next time. It is still a lesson learned.
Therefore, understand that these experiences are necessary. No one can survive on what is said and what is read. In the long run, what you have gone through and learnt from is a better guide than what you have read and heard.
Teacher Kenny appreciates your time and attention.
(All images shot by me.)
