Power Of Understanding Something

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

-Confucius (551 BC – 479BC)

The same quote has been reported to be like this.

What I hear, I forget. What I see, I remember. What I do, I
understand.

-Xunzi (340 – 245 BC)

This post has nothing to do with the origin of these quotes.

These quotes mean the same and are still applicable today.

In simple words, these quotes mean that we understand things only by doing and not by reading and seeing.

In the field of education, we firmly believe that understanding comes by doing and understanding is more important than remembering.

The more you do something, the more you understand it.

Have you ever thought why we have practical and labs for science topics and hand-on activities of many subjects?

This is because hands-on activities and laboratory practical actually help in understanding the concepts that we learn from our books.

Writing is also considered as an activity that helps you understand the topic that you have read somewhere. When you read a topic in any subject, you remember it for a very short period of time. When you watch a video on the same topic, you might remember the concept for a long period of time. But the point is, have you understood the topic by just reading or watching something?

How about writing on the same topic in your own words? Do you think it is going to help understanding the topic better? Try it.

Understanding is always better than remembering or memorizing.

If students remember or memorize something, they are not going to remember it on long run. Everyone has their own memory retention power. When students are researching, doing things on their own, having hands-on activities, creating something, etc they tend to understand the topic well. This is the power of understanding.

Conclusion

Do it to understand it.

What are your views on this topic? Share your views in the comment section below. I will be happy to read.

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