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I agree, mostly. Being smart and being good at explaining aren't the same thing, though. They may often go together, but it isn't necessarily the case.

by pmccool 16y ago

lotharbot 16y ago
People who are good at explaining are almost always smart, but a lot of smart people have trouble explaining things. One common problem is smart people assuming a certain level of background knowledge, and therefore referencing concepts or using terminology that's not familiar to their audience. It takes some experience to really figure out what vocabulary is appropriate for a particular audience. I've worked with a lot of fourth graders (10-11 years old). I've seen a lot of people try to explain concepts to them and fail, sometimes because they're using sixth grade vocabulary the kids can't follow, and sometimes because they're using first grade vocabulary and overexplaining things and the kids get bored. It takes practice to explain things at exactly the right level for the audience -- it takes a teacher who is both smart (having mastery of the material) and experienced (knowing what level of complexity is audience-appropriate.)
- chegra 16y ago
  I remember, I used to be penalized in A'levels if I didn't give examples and analogies when I was explaining a concept. Actually the lecturer never gave any points for technical explanation. But this sort of learning came in handy years later when trying to explain the research I'm doing to my boss and people around me. I just think it is a skill that can be learned.
random42 16y ago
I came here to post "the exact same" comment. The assumption of smart people being good at communicating the explanation very well, is not necessarily true. In my personal experience, two of the most smart people, I have come across are basically not the best in communicating. They are so sharp, that thing obvious to them, are not obvious to most of the people. However, for most people, I find the observation to be correct.

I agree, mostly. Being smart and being good at explaining aren't the same thing, though. They may often go together, but it isn't necessarily the case.

by pmccool 16y ago

I agree, mostly. Being smart and being good at explaining aren't the same thing, though. They may often go together, but it isn't necessarily the case.

lotharbot 16y ago

People who are good at explaining are almost always smart, but a lot of smart people have trouble explaining things. One common problem is smart people assuming a certain level of background knowledge, and therefore referencing concepts or using terminology that's not familiar to their audience. It takes some experience to really figure out what vocabulary is appropriate for a particular audience. I've worked with a lot of fourth graders (10-11 years old). I've seen a lot of people try to explain concepts to them and fail, sometimes because they're using sixth grade vocabulary the kids can't follow, and sometimes because they're using first grade vocabulary and overexplaining things and the kids get bored. It takes practice to explain things at exactly the right level for the audience -- it takes a teacher who is both smart (having mastery of the material) and experienced (knowing what level of complexity is audience-appropriate.)

chegra 16y ago
I remember, I used to be penalized in A'levels if I didn't give examples and analogies when I was explaining a concept. Actually the lecturer never gave any points for technical explanation. But this sort of learning came in handy years later when trying to explain the research I'm doing to my boss and people around me. I just think it is a skill that can be learned.

random42 16y ago

I came here to post "the exact same" comment. The assumption of smart people being good at communicating the explanation very well, is not necessarily true. In my personal experience, two of the most smart people, I have come across are basically not the best in communicating. They are so sharp, that thing obvious to them, are not obvious to most of the people. However, for most people, I find the observation to be correct.