Some Preliminary Thoughts...

To begin with, it seems best to start with our definition of understanding. Here I especially like what David Perkins said in “Teaching for Understanding” about knowing being equivalent to the ability to “parrot” information and understanding, in contrast, being the ability to “perform” using information and applying it in unique ways.

This contrast seems crucial for examining understanding as I can imagine it to be quite common for most people to equate understanding something with having knowledge of it. We can also look at the difference as being similar to that of hearing vs. listening. We’ve all been scolded at a young age (and I’m sure probably in adulthood), “I know you hear me, but you’re not listening to me!” This is the difference between knowing and understanding. Hearing happens naturally, reflexively. Listening implies active cognition and focus, however. Here one is taking what is being heard and doing something with it. This doing of something with knowledge is what Perkins is referring to with understanding.

        And perhaps to lead us into our seminar, we could think about this contrast and how it should/shouldn’t guide our educations. Is it good enough to just know, or should understanding be a greater focus in the classroom? How does this apply to areas of study other than philosophy?