Power of 3

I have found that 3 is a powerful number. Three is the number that allows me to "get it". What I mean is that I have to take a moment to look something over, then see it again to understand it, and see it one last time to get it into my system.

I listen to a lot of audio books. I make it a point to listen to the entire series at least three times. When I do public speaking I make sure that I follow the rule of three. I use three points of interest or focus to share with the audience. The stories I use as I speak have an intro, plot, and ending. I tell teachers the following equation when teaching: Tell the students what you want to tell them. Then you tell them what you are going to tell them. Finally, you tell them what you told them. Now that I think about it, I even have three children of my own. Everywhere in my life is the number 3.

Ok Steve, what are you getting at? As an educator, you can not assume that everyone is going to get it on the first shot. The learning process just doesn't work that way. You have to find ways to make sense of the world around you and ensure that your students do as well. Think of your personal patterns for learning. Not so much when it is a subject or topic that you are comfortable with, but a subject or topic that is difficult for you. What do you need to do to make it your own? How many times do you need to review something to get it? Now connect those thoughts to the 20+ students in a common class. It is almost overwhelming to think of all the different learning styles and ways students learn. What are your thoughts on learning and "getting it" when learning is hard.