I’m a college microeconomics instructor. Recently, at the end of an introductory chapter in the course textbook, I was telling
my students why it is important to study economics. I told them that the only way to knowing whether studying economics is worthwhile or not is to make a list of benefits and costs, and compare the two. The answer becomes apparent following a careful cost/benefit comparison. It is quite possible that everyone will end up on opposing sides even if the same benefits and costs were considered. Their order of importance will differ.
I thought I was done when one young student asked me how one can become an economist. I told the student that becoming a good economist requires activation of all one’s senses: hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell – alternatively on has to learn. The last two senses brought laughter to the class, but I am not going to pursue that here. What I want to relate is that I struggled explaining what learning means, and when I got home that day, I searched for the answer and “Elements of Learning” was my discovery.
From this book I now appreciate that learning is an adventurous privilege (Chapter 1). Its supported by 11 key elements: industry, enthusiasm, pleasure, curiosity, aspiration, imagination, self-discipline, competitive civility, cooperation, honesty, and initiative (Chapter 9-12). Along with imagination, the ability to recover from failure is a part of learning as the author of the Harry Potter book series makes clear (see http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2008/06.05/99-rowlingspeech.html). The elements of learning nearly all internal to the learner, and the successful learner is one who can develop and sustain them.
However, learning is not only a cumulative process. It is also an interactive process that involves dynamic interchanges between the learning qualities on one hand, and the surrounding environment on the other (Chapters 13 -17). The book concludes with 12 “to do’s”. A great book that must be read by all students and their teachers across the disciplines.
Amavilah, Author
Modeling Determinants of Income in Embedded Economies http://www.amazon.com/Modeling-Income-Determ inants-Embedded-Economies/dp/1600210465/102-0646972-1335324?