Is asking questions really the best way to learn?
It's an ironic question, but I'd really like to know. Is it because people remember the answer to the things they are curious about?
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Asking the right questions can help you learn, but I think that *answering* questions is the best way to learn. "If I tell you, you will not know, you will merely have been told. Some [day] I will ask you and you will answer. Then you will know." Friday, by R. Heinlein.
Mar 4, 2010. 5:23 AMframistan
says:
ASKING QUESTIONS is a good start. But my answer would be ... "search for TRUTH." and I have a good example of why. I once taught ENGLISH SPEECH to immigrants as a volunteer. One day a Tibetan Monk walked up to me and asked me a Question. He was dressed in one of those orange robes and all... he said, " Why is America so RICH and so many other countries are so POOR?" His question hit me like a brick. I could think of many answers... but which one is the TRUTH? I could have opened my mouth and FLAPPED MY LIPS any old answer like one of these:
"Because we are a CHRISTIAN nation." But Haiti is 80% catholic and it is POOR. so that isnt the answer.
"Because we are a nation of LAWS... not KINGS." but EVERY nation has laws... so that isnt the answer.
"Because our founding fathers set up a REPUBLIC, not a democracy." might be the answer... but i started to realize I DONT KNOW THE ANSWER.
So............. I told him "I don't know why."
That Tibetan monk asked me that question more than TWENTY YEARS ago. I am still looking for the answer. I believe i am getting close to answering that question by listening to GLEN BECK on television. So you can see, the answer to your question is not just to "Ask Questions... but to look for TRUTHFULL answers." I know when i find the answer to that question.... it will hit me like a BRICK.... just like the question did.
"Because we are a CHRISTIAN nation." But Haiti is 80% catholic and it is POOR. so that isnt the answer.
"Because we are a nation of LAWS... not KINGS." but EVERY nation has laws... so that isnt the answer.
"Because our founding fathers set up a REPUBLIC, not a democracy." might be the answer... but i started to realize I DONT KNOW THE ANSWER.
So............. I told him "I don't know why."
That Tibetan monk asked me that question more than TWENTY YEARS ago. I am still looking for the answer. I believe i am getting close to answering that question by listening to GLEN BECK on television. So you can see, the answer to your question is not just to "Ask Questions... but to look for TRUTHFULL answers." I know when i find the answer to that question.... it will hit me like a BRICK.... just like the question did.
Jul 28, 2010. 5:46 PMpyro=fire
says:
Of course asking questions is the best way to learn because u just learned that it is by asking us!
He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool-shun him.
He who knows not and knows he knows not: he is simple-teach him.
He who knows and knows not he knows: he is asleep-wake him.
He who knows and knows he knows: he is wise-follow him.
Mar 4, 2010. 3:22 AMKoosie
says:
It depends on the question. Asking "What cloud is that?" is very different to "What makes that cloud different and why?"
Just my 2 cents.
Just my 2 cents.
Mar 3, 2010. 8:56 PMrich_moe
says:
W. Edwards Demming (father of modern techniques for streamlining businesses, but really just a teacher) was giving a presentation when he stated that theory was the the key to all learning:
1. Theory begets questions
2. Questions beget research
3. Research begets learning
Therefore, theory is learning.
(This is paraphrasing, I'm sure it wasn't exactly as I wrote it)
So, questions that get answered through this process should be giving answers that are at least close to what is needed at the time. But remember, answers can be modified to fit situations, also.
1. Theory begets questions
2. Questions beget research
3. Research begets learning
Therefore, theory is learning.
(This is paraphrasing, I'm sure it wasn't exactly as I wrote it)
So, questions that get answered through this process should be giving answers that are at least close to what is needed at the time. But remember, answers can be modified to fit situations, also.
Mar 3, 2010. 8:33 PMorksecurity
says:
The one genuine Confucius[*] quote I know:
"I hear, and I forget.
I see, and I remember.
I do, and I understand."
Certainly motivation plays a huge part. And asking questions is a wonderful tool for flushing out the points you don't yet understand. In some ways, the scientific method can be reduced to "Why? Why not? What if? What then? Is that what really happens? What does that tell me? What new questions does that raise?" (Actually, the same questions are useful in other areas -- writing fiction is one obvious example.)
[* Yes, I know Kung fu-tze is the current correct transliteration. But fewer English-speaking people recognize that spelling.]
"I hear, and I forget.
I see, and I remember.
I do, and I understand."
Certainly motivation plays a huge part. And asking questions is a wonderful tool for flushing out the points you don't yet understand. In some ways, the scientific method can be reduced to "Why? Why not? What if? What then? Is that what really happens? What does that tell me? What new questions does that raise?" (Actually, the same questions are useful in other areas -- writing fiction is one obvious example.)
[* Yes, I know Kung fu-tze is the current correct transliteration. But fewer English-speaking people recognize that spelling.]
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