Self-learning through self-questioning
For the past 150 years, Industrial-era companies valued standardization. They valued employees on how
efficiently they worked and how well they could memorize routine work practices. On-the-job thinking
and asking questions were not encouraged. Education successfully met those needs with standardized
curriculums and standardized tests that required memorizing standard answers.
While there is nothing wrong with memorizing answers, there is a problem with this way of learning
in the modern era. The problem is once an answer is given … thinking generally stops.
- When the formal test, pop quiz or national exam is done, thinking about the content can stop.
- When we find an answer (any answer) to a problem, thinking about the problem can stop.
- When someone gives us an answer, even if it’s the wrong answer, thinking can stop.
Today, Knowledge-era companies want workers who can “think” through constant change.
The underlying theme and the cornerstone for improving knowledge workers’ thinking … is their ability
to first become effective “questioners.” From an educational perspective students who are curious and
ask questions engage themselves in the process of learning. Yet … students are not readily assessed on
their ability to ask questions. There doesn’t seem to be test where … The question is the answer.
Albert Einstein said of himself: What's different about me?
It's my ability to ask the right questions clearly and cleanly.
All the products below are question and cognitive tools oriented. It is no longer enough to walk away
from education with knowledge that’s remembered ... and forgotten. Students need to also walk away
with a “toolset” that they apply on-the-job and in their lives to improve their in-the-moment thinking.