Gary Davis at the Republic of Mathematics blog writes,

Over the years, as a teacher educator in the UK and the United States, I have helped student teachers, as well as practicing teachers, to focus less on their own explanations and focus more on what their students understand. Less talk and more listening.

He uses the term “cognitive theft” to refer to the idea that students learn more by listening to the teacher instead of trying to explain or think through the problem themselves. It’s something I’ve not heard before.

I think we are all guilty of cognitive theft at one time or another. What are some ways that we can fight against it?