Linear learning

One of the many complaints I have aimed at our schooling system is their heavy reliance on linear learning. Of course, that's completely meaningless if you don't know what I mean by linear learning. It's time for me to explain.


The schools order their lessons, and they expect one lesson to be mastered before moving to the next. Their lesson plans are sequential, usually in line with the order of lessons in a textbook.

Linearity in teaching is not just confined to individual classes. Many classes have prerequisites that assume that that one subject, even an optional subject, must be viewed as a sequential follow-up to another class. Within subjects, understanding one year is expected before moving on to the next.

There are numerous problems with this approach. For starters, what happens if a student slips? Since lessons build on top of each other, slower learners will lack the required background to complete the newer lessons. Even if a student if quick overall, one mistake can have a rippling effect.

The schools compensate for the problems of linearity by aiming low. They don't want students to fall behind. Even if a student misses a day, or even a week, there is generally not enough missed to break the apparent progress.

The other big problem is that people are highly variable. Linear learning develops rigid expectations with no regards to individual needs. Needs are not just restricted to pace. The ideal sequence is not constant between students.

I should also point out that linear learning brings along other potential issues. I already mentioned that sequences are frequently based off of ordering of lessons within textbooks. Textbooks usually look for what they consider the best approach to teaching a lesson. Again, students needs are not constant. For example, some students learn a lot better independently. Textbooks do not take into account individual needs. How can they? They have to be written before students enter a class,

Linear learning is completely anti-individual. We should have the option to pursue our educations in a manner that is suitable for our unique abilities, interests, and needs. For that to happen, we need the flexibility to learn in manner that is suitable for each one of us. That includes flexibility to deviate from a single rigid sequence of lessons set up with no consideration whatsoever for the individual.