One of the main goals I have in my classroom is to create an environment/instruction that is as efficient and effective as possible for learning and remembering information. I’ve spent many years reading and writing about this topic; what learning strategies cast the largest net in the classroom for learning and how the classroom environment may positively or negatively impact learning. Over the years, as I’ve tweaked certain procedures in my classroom and changed the amount of material on the walls, I’ve noticed another seldom talked about topic that seems to stealthily run rampant in the classroom…assumption. It is everywhere and I’m not sure of a single instance where it is beneficial for learning. Allow me to tease out a few areas, both from the student and teacher’s point of view, where assumption negatively impacts the classroom.
