Today I read Gladwell's Chapter on the 10,000 hour rule. In education, transformation is a process, not a silver bullet. As in Gladwell's findings, for one to obtain greatness, time must be spent perfecting the skill, understanding and practice until expertise. One must experience opportunities to grow, take risks, and persist. Engagement is essential. Passion overcomes obstacles. Learning then happens.
I also think of Jim Collin's hedgehog concept. There is so much focus and action that the act is built to last and then it can sustain itself. Many talented prodigies have been surpassed by the persistent and passionate. The difference between expert and novice is 10% more effort. Instead of quitting for the day, give 10% more effort to the practice. Expertise is then obtainable.
We must be so focused that we spend 10,000 hours doing our work to achieve greatness. This eliminates the notion of the silver bullet approach. We must not give up on student achievement because we believe we can't. The notion of can't is attributed to the lack of focus, the stamina of intelligent thought and action. Repetition is our friend with meaningful thoughts and intentional actions.
With adult learning, it takes 100 repetitions of the activity to become automatic. For us to change our behavioral practices, we must think that we need to practice and be persistent. Research and study enable us to act intentionally and sustain the work. Practice is key.
