Mark Van Ness

It has been said that "People cannot learn by having information pressed into their brains. Knowledge has to be sucked into the brain, not pushed in". Presenting information in a lecture format is inadequate for in-depth understanding.  An effective instructor will create a collective state of mind within the classroom that craves knowledge, interest and wonder. This atmosphere will create an urge to learn and understand. How this state of mind is created depends on the instructor. Telling stories to illustrate a point, citing strange research strategies to address a hypothesis, or even acting out a famous historical researchers early experiments can produce interest in students.  

The pinnacle of teaching is creating an experience that provides lasting understanding of a concept.