The influence of teaching on a slow learner

“Teaching, in my estimation, is a vastly over-rated function…Having made such a statement, I scurry to the dictionary to see if I really mean what I say.  Teaching means “to instruct.” Personally I am not much interested in instructing another in what he should know or think. “To impart knowlege or skill”  My reaction is, why not be more efficient, using a book or programmed learning? “To make or know.”  Here my hackles rise.  I have no wish to make anyone know something. “To show, guide, direct.”  As I see it, too many people have been shown, guided, directed.  So I come to the conclusion that I do mean what I said.  Teaching is, for me, a relatively unimportant and vastly overvalued activity.”–Carl Rogers, Freedom to Learn, 1969.