Applicable Scenarios#
Applicable to all one-to-many teaching scenarios, whether in schools, video tutorials, or live broadcasts.
What Teachers Should Do#
Don't Waste Time#
Time should be spent on inspiring thinking and helping students understand, rather than wasting time on trivial talk or having students spend class time writing reference-book-like notes. Such notes should be clearly explained in class, and an electronic version should be provided by the teacher afterward, allowing students to decide whether to print it out, view it on electronic devices, or handwrite it (not recommended).
Match Speaking Speed with Information Density#
Speak slowly for high-density information and quickly for low-density information. Information that includes more than just the literal meaning has a high density. For example, in "Records of the Grand Historian," the passage about the respectful behavior at the foot of the stairs not only has a high information density but also leaves out the real message. However, true readers will have questions and can see these words, which exemplifies "teaching without words."
For instance, why did Zhang Liang, coming from a family of three generations of prime ministers, endure humiliation from a stranger instead of retaliating or ignoring it and walking away? Also, when it says "follow the eyes. Father went to the village and returned," where was Zhang Liang at that moment? He was definitely still there. Even if he respected the elder, he could have left after watching the elder walk a certain distance; why did he wait until the elder was a mile away? Because he was sure the elder would return. How could he be so sure? What would you do in his place?
Prioritize High-Density Information#
There are three reasons:
- To train oneself to be concise in language;
- To inspire others to think;
- To save time.
Use Metaphors Cautiously for Explanation and Argumentation#
Avoid using metaphors to explain simple issues, and be cautious with complex ones. Metaphors often have many inappropriate characteristics, and using them to solve one problem can lead to more problems. Even if one does not explain it, it can provoke students' thoughts and waste everyone's time. If there are no parts that common sense overlooks, there is no need to explain at all. For students with poor comprehension, metaphors can be included in the notes provided after class.
Complex Definitions: Start Vague, Then Be Precise#
When explaining a concept, one must first present the definition and let students know what it is. If it is relatively complex, avoid using professional and rigorous terminology, as students won't understand it. Instead, use simple and somewhat inappropriate descriptions, but inform students that this is not accurate. After learning, they can return to look at the professional and rigorous definitions.
What Students Should Do#
Know How to Read#
Please read "How to Read," which was published during the Republic of China era and collects the experiences of various masters (Hu Shi, Cai Yuanpei, Lin Yutang, Ma Yinchu, Zhu Guangqian, Feng Zikai, etc.) regarding reading and learning. No link is added here as a small exercise to cultivate your ability to obtain online resources; please search online and do not buy it on shopping platforms.
How to Take Notes#
Only record your unique insights and questions, not reference-book-like notes. If the teacher does not provide them proactively, ask the teacher or find a classmate.
Prioritize using questions rather than statements, as this better stimulates thinking. For example, "The reason to actively embrace digitization" is not as effective as "Why should we actively embrace digitization?"
Use various annotation tools that can differentiate their psychological implications, following general rules.
What Both Parties Should Do#
Familiarize with “Effective Learning: 20 Rules for Handling Knowledge”#
Below is the outline.
Actively Embrace Digitization#
Why?#
- To train students' abilities to obtain information online, filter quality information, acquire various electronic documents, organize, summarize, and quickly find note content.
- To train students to remain unaffected by the abundant temptations of the internet and to stay true to themselves; this ability is particularly important today.
- To broaden horizons, learn from domestic and international experts, and even have opportunities to ask questions.
- Good software is revolutionary, even rivaling the Industrial Revolution.
How to Do It?#
Use memory software like Anki and Supermemo that incorporates forgetting algorithms, rather than unscientific, arbitrary, and unclear-purpose review methods. Also, follow the Supermemo Ten Commandments (other memory software is also applicable).