The Having of Wonderful Ideas: And Other Essays on Teaching and Learning

Duckworth's colelction of essays that is a powerful reminder to educators that there is no one way of coming to understand, coming to know. Often the educators perspective is the one that dominates in the learning dynamic and yet we are reminded through these essays that the perspective of the learner is a critically important piece in communicating understanding. In the rush for accountability and the questionable dominance of test oriented assessment, it is important to be reminded there are multiple ways of demonstrating understanding. Duckworth provides a very readble reminder for educators that we are more facilitators of understanding than deliverers of knowledge.

As a parent and teacher, I strongly recommend this book to everyone concerned about children's learning. The main point of the main essay is that when children think and come up with their own ideas, it's the same fundamental process that scientists do when they are doing science, what inventors do when they are inventing, what creative artists do when they are creating, etc. Although the ideas may not seem like much to us (and may, in fact, turn out to be incorrect), they often seem wonderful to the children--and we should be supportive of children having ideas, rather than squelching them because it can be helpful in their learning. Moreover, Duckworth believes that children who are encouraged to generate ideas are more likely to grow up to be adults who come up with ideas that are true innovations in science or art, and that the world will benefit from them.

This book is excellent. It is an important read for teachers today. As an educator it is extremely disheartening to see the direction of education being driven today by politicians, rather than parents and teachers. Ms. Duckworth redirects are attention where it belongs, on the students & how they learn. This book gets us (teachers) thinking about the kind of classroom culture we want to create for our children. It is about what we value as educators. Don't mistake it for a quick reference, how-to book. This is not meant to be a outline of various lesson plans to try out with your class. It is more thoughtful than that and more important

For me, the real strength of this book is the way the presence of Eleanor Duckworth shines through her writing. I liken it more to the beacon provided by a lighthouse than to a how-to manual that describes rowing techniques. The clear direction that shown through for me was that learning is complex, and that teacher behaviors must be equally complex, but the guiding light is simple: Listen to and respect the learner and respond with your whole person, and the learning that needs to happen will occur, for both partners in the process.

Eleanor Duckworth is an amazing inspiration to teachers. This book is an exploration of what it means to know something, and how teachers should listen to their students. This may sound simple, but every teacher knows that it is not simple. Eleanor is able to enlighten a sense of wonder in her reader in an un-pretensious manner. Each chapter leaves you excited and amazed at the complexity of the learning process.