Response to "The Essence of Understanding"

I have to admit that this is something I struggle with. I go to class, do my homework, study for tests, and research for presentations, but once any or all of those are done, I don't remember anything that I learned. None of it sticks and it is very frustrating. In this chapter the author offers several ways for teachers to help students retain information in an age where if it's not interesting, it won't be remembered. He also offers even more specifically, resources that will help the students' retain even more. He writes that a problem today is that students are only engaged because they are focused on the grade and not true understanding. I think this is a bigger problem than some realize. This is one of the biggest lessons students are learning in today's classrooms. They have learned that it is ok to work for a certain grade, that as long as you reach that mark, you don't have to try anymore. This mindset stays with them throughout life and is showing up in adults' work habits as well. People cut corners and do the bare minimal because they have learned over the years that the final result just needs to meet standards, nothing more.