The illusion of learning: turning studying into thinking
Year: 2025
Type: editorial
Abstract: Students are gathering pebbles, not building bridges. We must teach them to think like architects, not collectors. Highlighting and flash cards create the illusion of mastery, not understanding. This article draws on cognitive science and medical education to expose the gap between effort and insight. It offers practical strategies to shift classrooms from passive review to active reasoning. In an age of AI and information overload, we must cultivate thinkers who can question, connect, and adapt.
Authors: Heidi L. Lujan, Stephen E. DiCarlo
Institution: Michigan State University
Language: English
Topic: Innovative Teaching Methods
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416087791