Ending the Dump Truck Method

One of my college professors described the way that most students take exams as, “the dump truck method”. Basically this means they will dump massive amounts of information they don't really understand on paper. Even though they many times don't truly grasp the information these students will get good grades on the test. Of course using the dump truck method doesn't really help them because most of that information will be forgotten in the future. And the truths which are still remembered usually aren't applied.

As a person who used the dump truck method countless times during High School and College I understand it's usefulness. But there must be a better way of learning and applying information. The blame for using this method of learning and test taking should be placed upon students who refuse to study ahead of time. But some teachers are also taking some of that responsibility upon themselves. They believe that, “True Biblical teaching doesn't take place unless the students have learned. If they haven't learned, I haven't taught.1” As a result these instructors focus on reaching specific goals in their classes instead of just giving out information. And therefore become more like coaches instead of teachers.

Recently the professor I work with at the Bible College helped me develop lesson plans for my classes in April. He told me to make very specific aims (goals) for each class that can be evaluated later. This would be done by asking questions like “what will they learn?”, “what will they do with it?”, “what do they already know?”, and “how can I assist them?” These questions can make a big difference. It takes a general goal (“we will learn how to make paper air planes”) and makes it specific (“we will learn how to in ideal conditions create paper air planes that will travel an average distance of twenty to thirty feet”). These specific goals will in time turn into habits and responses. And those responses will help the student years after the class has ended. That is why I feel this form of teaching should be viewed as coaching. It focuses on preparing students for things that they will face in the future.

Thinking about teachers/coaches reminds me of a professor at Bible College. I took a class from him on counselling those in need with Scripture. In one of the first classes he told us about having trouble breathing because of nasal congestion. He would take medicine and it would clear up, but only for a few days. Finally he went to the doctor and learned that surgery was needed. Following the surgery he did not have any other problems.

The professor went on to explain that many people don't deal with serious problems correctly. They will put a band aid where surgery should be done. The rest of the classes that semester was about finding the real problem when dealing with those in need of counselling and dealing with it using Scripture. To this day when ministering to those in need around me I try to find the core issue that they are struggling with instead of making them feel better for a short time.

I realise that it isn't possible to make dramatic impact upon students in each class. But teachers can develop within their students character traits and habits that can help them be successful in the future. Becoming more of a coach than a teacher will not keep every student from using the dump truck method. But it will plant seeds in their hearts that can make them stronger people in the future.

1Bruce Wilkinson, The Seven Laws of the Learner, pg.17, par.2, ln.1