Do you know that, according to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, high school students forget 95% of what they learn in high school after three days? Bob and I were watching TV one Sunday afternoon when we were surprised to see an interview with high school students preparing to take a significant standardized test. The students were asked, “Is it more important to pass tests and get good grades or remember what was learned?” All responded that it was better to pass the test because test scores provided what they needed for their futures. These students achieved the high scores required to get into college. However, when given the same test 3 months later, they failed. We immediately turned to each other and said, “Are they prepared for their futures?” “What will they do with the answers they forgot?”

As we tried to sort out this fallacy, we realized that answers only provide a degree of understanding.  Then we must “use it or lose it!” To complete the process of understanding, we must ask some validating questions to prevent us from misunderstanding or bias.  “What makes this true?”  “How do I know it is right?”  “How will I use this?”

Growth occurs when we take validated answers and use them to make a positive difference in our lives and others!  That’s why using knowledge to solve problems effectively produces long-term benefits. This process makes learning student-centered and relevant. Problem-solving sharpens critical thinking, metacognitive skills, and creativity as students apply this knowledge in diverse situations.

This Experiential Learning creates a Win-Win Solution for everyone involved!