Teachable moment
Encyclopedia
A teachable moment, in education, is the time at which learning a particular topic or idea becomes possible or easiest.
in his 1952 book, Human Development and Education. In the context of education theory
, Havighurst explained,
The concept pre-dates Havighurst's book, as does use of the phrase, but he is credited with popularizing it.
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." It implies "personal engagement" with issues and problems.
. The mayor of Cambridge, E. Denise Simmons
, said that she hoped that the result would be a "teachable moment". U.S. President Barack Obama
expressed the same hope as Simmons:
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."
On July 4 2011, Professor Glyn Davis, vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne
, used the term in an article 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 Australian Universities must show why Australia's public universities returned to the community the money spent providing higher education, and that this constituted a teachable moment.
has obviously saved a life, or conversely, when the lack of a seat belt has caused loss of life.
Law enforcement
and First Responders are often taught and encouraged to use appropriate situations to 'teach' the public.
In education
The concept was popularized by Robert HavighurstRobert J. Havighurst
Robert James Havighurst was a professor, physicist, educator, and aging expert. Both his father, Freeman Alfred Havighurst, and mother, Winifred Weter Havighurst, had been educators at Lawrence University. Havighurst worked and published well into his 80s...
in his 1952 book, Human Development and Education. In the context of education theory
Education theory
Educational theory can refer to either speculative educational thought in general or to a theory of education as something that guides, explains, or describes educational practice....
, 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."
The concept pre-dates Havighurst's book, as does use of the phrase, but he is credited with popularizing it.
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." It implies "personal engagement" with issues and problems.
Political use
In July 2009, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his home; the incident garnered media attention throughout the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The mayor of Cambridge, E. Denise Simmons
E. Denise Simmons
E. Denise Simmons was the mayor of Cambridge, Massachusetts during the 2008-2009 term, and she was the first openly lesbian African-American mayor in the United States. The previous mayor of Cambridge, Kenneth Reeves, was the first openly gay African-American mayor in the United States...
, said that she hoped that the result would be a "teachable moment". U.S. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
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."
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."
On July 4 2011, Professor Glyn Davis, vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, used the term in an article 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 Australian Universities must show why Australia's public universities returned to the community the money spent providing higher education, and that this constituted a teachable moment.
Pragmatic use
A teachable moment is often best demonstrated with a significant emotional or traumatic event, the emphasis being on the 'moment' versus the lesson. An example would be, after a high speed motor vehicle accident; when the use of a seat beltSeat belt
A seat belt or seatbelt, sometimes called a safety belt, is a safety harness designed to secure the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a collision or a sudden stop...
has obviously saved a life, or conversely, when the lack of a seat belt has caused loss of life.
Law enforcement
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
and First Responders are often taught and encouraged to use appropriate situations to 'teach' the public.