Wise Words About Learning and Teaching

I’ve collected some of my favorite quotations that are filled with wisdom about teaching–and learning. Here they are below:

Wisdom on Teaching & Learning

• “Whenever human beings perceive threat in any transaction — including the real or imagined lessening of love, pride, affection, or approval, the chance of ridicule, dismissal, shame, guilt, or pain — they stop learning and practice self-defense.” (H. Stephen Glenn)

•  “Until we create an environment in which people can allow us to see their imperfections and errors without fear that we will think less of them, we can’t teach them about themselves because they will never let us see them as they are.” (H. Stephen Glenn)

• “From the beginning, one must begin by creating a respectful atmosphere toward others. In the absence of civility, other educational goals prove infinitely harder to achieve. Instances of disrespect must be labeled as such; each must be actively discouraged and its practitioners ostracized.” (Howard Gardner)

• “In times of change, learners inherit the earth . . . while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” (Eric Hoffer)

• “Teaching consists of causing people to get into situations from which they can not escape except by thinking.” (William Sparke)

Now it’s your turn!

I’d love to read some of your favorite wise words about learning and teaching — leave a comment and build the list!

(I believe I’ve listed the correct authors for each quote; if you see an error, please let me know so I can correct it!)