“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

I just discovered this quote attributed to George Bernard Shaw. I believe that he was right about communication being all too often an illusion. I am quite sure he will agree with me that all too often that what is regarded as teaching is also an illusion.

Too often what is passed off as teaching is just the talking that is done by the teacher. The real meaning of what is supposed to be taught is lost on the students. This is despite the latter’s ability to memorize, regurgitate, and do mechanical operations. Real meaning of what is taught is lost in a sea of “factlets” (see Perkins), little disparate bits of information which have little importance to the students except for some high stakes examinations.