“If the textbook contains the answers, then what are the questions?” (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005, 125).

I disagree with the first part of this question. I do not think that the textbook contains or could contain the answers. My recent experiences with text books (that my children have used) have not been great. I am reminded of the slogan about how many programs cover material: "a mile wide and an inch thick."

I also think that no one source can contain the answers. All sources have their point of view, and if we believe that one source is the “best” then we are limiting ourselves and our students to this perspective. I believe that in order to truly learn about a subject, we must use numerous sources: first hand accounts, narratives, and third person summaries. Only when we consider multiple view points, or “answers” can we really form our own opinion, or truly understand a topic. This brings to mind my vision of constructivist learning: taking what we know, adding new information, stirring it all up and coming up with something new. If we only add one source to our foundation, then our end result will be simple, transparent, and lopsided. If we add numerous sources, our end result will be complex, layered, with lots of different ingredients that all come together to make our own viewpoints.

I haven’t even thought about the second part of this statement, because I disagree with the first. The questions are whatever we wonder. No text book could cover everyone’s questions about a topic, as we all bring our own personal knowledge to the table when we explore new information. The questions come from all directions, from every individual’s personal experiences, history, and view points. There are main, important questions that cause students to learn things they need to know, for example when the Declaration of Independence was signed. But the following question of “why do we care?” is what causes real learning, and will result in knowledge that students do not forget as soon as they write it down on the test.

So, to sum up my thoughts, I feel strongly about using more than one source to teach students, so I do not believe that the text book contains all the answers. I also believe the most meaningful questions are those that come from the students desire to learn and make sense of the reasons why in their world.