Teachable moment

Teachable moment is a catchphrase popularized by Robert Havighurst in his 1952 book, Human Development and Education. In the context of educational theory, Havighurst explained,

"A developmental task is a task which is learned at a specific point and which makes achievement of succeeding tasks possible. When the timing is right, the ability to learn a particular task will be possible. This is referred to as a 'teachable moment.' It is important to keep in mind that unless the time is right, learning will not occur. Hence, it is important to repeat important points whenever possible so that when a student's teachable moment occurs, s/he can benefit from the knowledge."

Good teaching is interactive – it engages and responds simultaneously. The concept pre-dates Havighurst's book, as the phrase does, but he is credited with popularizing it.

The phrase sometimes denotes, not a developmental stage, but rather "that moment when a unique, high interest situation arises that lends itself to discussion of a particular topic." It implies "personal engagement" with issues and problems. The term encourages attempts to investigate beyond circumscribed arguments to the systemic roots of any problem. Such attempts are projected to achieve a kind of cognitive dissonance which becomes an opportunity for teaching and learning; and this becomes an exercise which fosters an awareness of the possibilities for change in systems many previously thought to be immutable.

Pedagogic catchphrase

The pivotal time-frame in which a paradigm shift becomes possible is captured with a definitional label.

Political use

Main article: Arrest of Henry Louis Gates

In July 2009, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his Cambridge, Massachusetts home; the incident garnered media attention throughout the United States. U.S. President Barack Obama's comments about the incident affected the unfolding news story. Obama subsequently explained:

"My hope is, is that as a consequence of this event this ends up being what's called a teachable moment, where all of us instead of pumping up the volume spend a little more time listening to each other and try to focus on how we can generally improve relations between police officers and minority communities, and that instead of flinging accusations we can all be a little more reflective in terms of what we can do to contribute to more unity... I just wanted to emphasize that—one last point I guess I would make. There are some who say that as President I shouldn't have stepped into this at all because it's a local issue. I have to tell you that that part of it I disagree with. The fact that this has become such a big issue I think is indicative of the fact that race is still a troubling aspect of our society. Whether I were black or white, I think that me commenting on this and hopefully contributing to constructive–as opposed to negative–understandings about the issue, is part of my portfolio.

Professor Gates echoed the same theme, stating, "I told the President that my entire career as an educator has been devoted to racial healing and improved race relations in this country. I am determined that this be a teaching moment."

Obama's use of the phrase attracted considerable comment in the American media and blogosphere. For example:

Media analysis

• "Hard Truths and the Teachable Moment" by Robin Wells in the The Huffington Post.

Robin Wells sought to summarize conflicting perspectives. She argued that Gates and Sgt. Crowley came away from their initial encounter with deep grievances: "grievance for being an acclaimed Harvard scholar yet disrespected as a black man, grievance for being disrespected as an officer, verbally assaulted while serving the public good". In this scenario, Wells suggested that Sgt. Crowley, having verified the facts, should have apologized for the misunderstanding and left. She said that Gates could have calmly explained his outrage, and view Sgt. Crowley as doing his job by carrying out an innocent investigation without racial overtones, rather than angrily demanding respect.

Blogosphere

• "Obama flunks his "teachable moment," by Mark Anthony Neal at The Griot.

Mark Neal focused on the opportunity for teaching, which might have converted the elements of this one incident into a lesson: "We all want a president who takes the time to hear about and understand the everyday struggles we face. But that is exactly what the president failed to do when he took up the issue of the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. by a Cambridge police officer. Rather than use a reporter's query about Gates' arrest as an opportunity to discuss the issues of racial profiling and police harassment - a teachable moment, if you will - the president chose to close ranks around his friend."

"New" political catchphrase

Although Obama may have failed to achieve any constructive goals, he did at least bring the catchword phrase "teachable moment" into a new prominence.

See also

• Heuristics
• Jean Piaget
• Bully pulpit

References

• Festinger, Leon. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford: Stanford University Press. 10-ISBN 0-804-70911-4; 13-ISBN 978-0-804-70911-8
• Gladwell, Malcolm. (2002). The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Boston: Back Bay. 10-ISBN 0-316-34662-4; 13-ISBN 978-0-316-34662-7
• Havighurst, Robert James, (1952). Human Development and Education. New York: Longmans, Green. OCLC 223047

External links

• TeachableMoment.org (Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility)
• Cambridge Police Incident Report # 9005127