Keywords

classroom, teaching techniques, interactive classroom, teaching methods, classroom setting

Abstract

A Chinese proverb states, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Rather than always “feed” our students, we can plan activities to ignite a love for discovery, guiding their exploration of the gospel. In keeping with this idea, Elder David A. Bednar teaches, “An answer we discover or obtain through the exercise of faith, typically, is retained for a lifetime. The most important learnings of life are caught—not taught.” On another occasion, Elder Bednar was fielding questions from students in a religion class at Brigham Young University–Idaho. While answering a question, Elder Bednar quoted a scripture but did not cite a reference for it. When a student asked for the reference, Elder Bednar said, “If I tell you, you’ll never remember it. If you find it, you’ll never forget it.” Powerful learning takes place when we discover truths for ourselves.

Original Publication Citation

John Hilton III. “The Power of Student Discovery and Sharing.” Religious Educator. 8 (3): 75-83. (2007)