Why Learn?

Many folks are entranced by the idea of Just In Time Teaching, delivering learning "just in time" for the student to make best use of it. I think they see the human brain as some sort of production facility whose purpose, taking in information and outputting thoughts and actions, can be maximized if the information can be managed just right.

I don't believe in Just in Time Teaching; I believe in Just in Case Teaching!
I hate to break the news, but individuals aren't mechanized processors! Our soft tissues and hard tissues have bugs just like software and hardware...and when things are new or overwhelming or stressful... well, I'm sure you get the point.

Just as the nation's Import/Export mechanism can be thrown out of whack by a longshoremen's slowdown or a spike in fuel prices, a scripted march to learn a task can be derailed by a variety of mundane circumstances, OR enhanced serendipitously via chance encounters with beauty, wisdom and grace. Why Learn? Just in case.....because you never know until you know.

Just in Case Links:

How Things Work The Met Museum Timeline of Art History How Stuff Works

Information Please The Fact Monster Word of The Day Project Gutenberg