The concept was popularized by Robert Havighurst in his 1952 book, Human Development and Education. In the context of education theory, Havighurst explained,
"A developmental task is a task which is learned at a specific point and which makes achievement of succeeding tasks possible. When the timing is right, the ability to learn a particular task will be possible. This is referred to as a 'teachable moment.' It is important to keep in mind that unless the time is right, learning will not occur. Hence, it is important to repeat important points whenever possible so that when a student's teachable moment occurs, s/he can benefit from the knowledge."[1]
The concept pre-dates Havighurst's book, as does the use of the phrase,[2] but he is credited with popularizing it.[3]
The phrase sometimes denotes not a developmental stage, but rather "that moment when a unique, high interest situation arises that lends itself to discussion of a particular topic."[4] It implies "personal engagement" with issues and problems.[5]
These moments can (and often do) come when least expected. Teachers and parents alike can benefit from the use of teachable moments.
Gates, Obama, and the arresting officer meeting at the White House to discuss the incident
In July 2009, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his home; the incident garnered media attention throughout the United States. The mayor of Cambridge, E. Denise Simmons, said that she hoped that the result would be a "teachable moment".[6] U.S. President Barack Obama expressed the same hope as Simmons:
My hope is, is that as a consequence of this event this ends up being what's called a 'teachable moment', where all of us instead of pumping up the volume spend a little more time listening to each other and try to focus on how we can generally improve relations between police officers and minority communities, and that instead of flinging accusations we can all be a little more reflective in terms of what we can do to contribute to more unity."[7]
Obama's use of the phrase attracted considerable comment in the American media and blogosphere. Gates himself echoed the same theme, stating, "I told the President that my entire career as an educator has been devoted to racial healing and improved race relations in this country. I am determined that this be a teaching moment."[8]
On July 4, 2011, Glyn Davis, vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne, used the term in an article[9] in Campus Review, describing the Australian Higher Education Base Funding Review as a rare opportunity to educate a wider public about how public tertiary education is supported. Davis argued that "We (Australian Universities) must show why Australia's public universities returned to the community, many times over, the money spent providing higher education," and that this constituted a teachable moment.[9]
^Havinghurst, Robert James, (1952). Human Development and Education, p. 7.
^For example, "...this opportune time, this most teachable moment..." Brandenburg, Walter E. (1917). The Philosophy of Christian Being. Sherman, French, p. 84. Retrieved on 2009-08-01.
^Wald, Barbara Frankel. Letters: "Footnote to a headline," University of Chicago Magazine. Vol. 95, No. 2 (December 2002).
^Lozo, Fredric (2005). The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sequential Problem Solving. Originally published by Eidon Books, 1998, ISBN0-9674166-0-4.
^Parker-Pope, Tara. "It’s Not Discipline, It’s a Teachable Moment," New York Times. September 15, 2008.
^CBS Broadcasting, Inc. Deval Patrick 'Troubled' By Harvard Professor's Arrest. WBZ-TV, July 22, 2009.
^Obama, Barack. "Statement by the President," White House Press Office. July 24, 2009.
^Baker, Peter and Helene Cooper. "Obama Shifts Tone on Gates After Mulling Debate," New York Times. July 24, 2009.
^ abGlyn Davis (July 4, 2011). . Campus Review. Archived from the original on October 1, 2011.
Gladwell, Malcolm. (2002). The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Boston: Back Bay. ISBN978-0-316-34662-7
Havighurst, Robert James, (1952). Human Development and Education. New York: Longmans, Green. OCLC 223047
Woods, Peter; Jeffrey, Bob (1996). Teachable Moments. Open University Press. ISBN9780335193745. Retrieved March 5, 2015. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
External linksedit
TeachableMoment.org (Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility)
January 01, 1970
teachable, moment, teachable, moment, education, time, which, learning, particular, topic, idea, becomes, possible, easiest, contents, education, political, also, notes, references, external, linksin, education, editthe, concept, popularized, robert, havighurs. A teachable moment in education is the time at which learning a particular topic or idea becomes possible or easiest Contents 1 In education 2 Political use 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References 6 External linksIn education editThe concept was popularized by Robert Havighurst in his 1952 book Human Development and Education In the context of education theory Havighurst explained A developmental task is a task which is learned at a specific point and which makes achievement of succeeding tasks possible When the timing is right the ability to learn a particular task will be possible This is referred to as a teachable moment It is important to keep in mind that unless the time is right learning will not occur Hence it is important to repeat important points whenever possible so that when a student s teachable moment occurs s he can benefit from the knowledge 1 The concept pre dates Havighurst s book as does the use of the phrase 2 but he is credited with popularizing it 3 The phrase sometimes denotes not a developmental stage but rather that moment when a unique high interest situation arises that lends itself to discussion of a particular topic 4 It implies personal engagement with issues and problems 5 These moments can and often do come when least expected Teachers and parents alike can benefit from the use of teachable moments Political use editMain article Henry Louis Gates arrest controversy nbsp Gates Obama and the arresting officer meeting at the White House to discuss the incident In July 2009 Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his home the incident garnered media attention throughout the United States The mayor of Cambridge E Denise Simmons said that she hoped that the result would be a teachable moment 6 U S President Barack Obama expressed the same hope as Simmons My hope is is that as a consequence of this event this ends up being what s called a teachable moment where all of us instead of pumping up the volume spend a little more time listening to each other and try to focus on how we can generally improve relations between police officers and minority communities and that instead of flinging accusations we can all be a little more reflective in terms of what we can do to contribute to more unity 7 Obama s use of the phrase attracted considerable comment in the American media and blogosphere Gates himself echoed the same theme stating I told the President that my entire career as an educator has been devoted to racial healing and improved race relations in this country I am determined that this be a teaching moment 8 On July 4 2011 Glyn Davis vice chancellor of the University of Melbourne used the term in an article 9 in Campus Review describing the Australian Higher Education Base Funding Review as a rare opportunity to educate a wider public about how public tertiary education is supported Davis argued that We Australian Universities must show why Australia s public universities returned to the community many times over the money spent providing higher education and that this constituted a teachable moment 9 See also editHeuristic Problem solving methodNotes edit Havinghurst Robert James 1952 Human Development and Education p 7 For example this opportune time this most teachable moment Brandenburg Walter E 1917 The Philosophy of Christian Being Sherman French p 84 Retrieved on 2009 08 01 Wald Barbara Frankel Letters Footnote to a headline University of Chicago Magazine Vol 95 No 2 December 2002 Lozo Fredric 2005 The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sequential Problem Solving Originally published by Eidon Books 1998 ISBN 0 9674166 0 4 Parker Pope Tara It s Not Discipline It s a Teachable Moment New York Times September 15 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc Deval Patrick Troubled By Harvard Professor s Arrest WBZ TV July 22 2009 Obama Barack Statement by the President White House Press Office July 24 2009 Baker Peter and Helene Cooper Obama Shifts Tone on Gates After Mulling Debate New York Times July 24 2009 a b Glyn Davis July 4 2011 A teachable moment Campus Review Archived from the original on October 1 2011 References edit nbsp Scholia has a profile for teachable moment Q7691177 Festinger Leon 1957 A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance Stanford Stanford University Press ISBN 978 0 8047 0911 8 Gladwell Malcolm 2002 The Tipping Point How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference Boston Back Bay ISBN 978 0 316 34662 7 Havighurst Robert James 1952 Human Development and Education New York Longmans Green OCLC 223047 Woods Peter Jeffrey Bob 1996 Teachable Moments Open University Press ISBN 9780335193745 Retrieved March 5 2015 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a website ignored help External links editTeachableMoment org Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Teachable moment amp oldid 1173867128, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
