Do you know the limits of your knowledge? Most of us think we know a lot, but in reality that knowledge is very limited. This concept is called knowledge about knowledge or metacognition, and we are often confused by its function.
For example we all think we recognize the Apple logo. Because we often see it. However, one study found that several subjects were given the option to choose the actual log from among many others, such as the Apple log. But no one could find the original log.
Most of us make mistakes when asked to draw a picture of something as simple as a coin or a bicycle. This means that just because we always see something doesn’t mean we have deep knowledge about it.
There are several specific reasons behind this superstition. First, we do not recognize the difference between the help we receive from our surroundings and our own knowledge. When we see a bicycle or a zipper, we think we know how it works because we see all its parts. But we cannot realize our own ignorance until we try to explain their way of working. Second, we mistake superficial knowledge of a subject for deep knowledge. For example, knowing that a car stops when you brake is a superlative but without knowing how the machine inside it works, we think we know a lot about the car.
This methanol disorder also affects our learning. When a person becomes an expert in a subject they forget how difficult it can be for a beginner. Experts are able to do things so easily that the knowledge they use is invisible to them. This leads a teacher or guide to use many difficult words or concepts that are difficult for a student to understand. Being an expert and being able to educate are two different skills entirely.
To correct these mistakes, we must exercise intellectual humility. Whenever you think you know something, you should try to convince others or try it yourself. Only then will the true identity of our knowledge be revealed. Also, teachers should always remember that it is not their skills that make them a good teacher but the mindset of understanding the difficulties of others can make them successful. Being able to recognize the limitations of your knowledge is the first step to becoming a better learner and teacher.
