1. INTRODUCTION
Education is a process of leading, guiding, and teaching the
learner. It is not simply a matter of memorizing a number of
facts, but of knowing what to do with those facts. However,
this does not imply that teachers should stop teaching facts
altogether nor train students to stop memorizing facts, but
rather to teach them to sort, classify, categorize and utilize
them at a conceptual level. These are both necessary elements
of learning.
Moreover, Parry and Gregory (1998) stated that learning is
a search for meaning and it takes place when a new
information is connected at the neural level to an information
that already has meaning or relevance to the learner. The more
closely the new information conforms to what the learner
perceives as interesting, useful and emotionally stimulating,
the more likely it is to be integrated and learned. A case in
point is the research endeavor. Students do not appreciate this
critical thinking activity, but if it is connected with something
important to them, they will find the task interesting and
stimulating.
Generally, learning has its emotional element. When the
emotions are engaged, the brain releases neurotransmitters that
mark the event and make it important. This focuses attention
and facilitates learning. The brain, emotions, body and
learning are interdependent. Why do we have underachieving
students? Not because they have low mental abilities. It is a
result of many factors, among which are instructional
procedures and teachers. To the extent that the learner likes
the teacher; the learner will like the subject. Educators who
understand what it takes to stimulate their learners touch the
hearts of their students even before they touch their minds.