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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I can't wait for a study claiming that the amount of time spent practicing piano has no correlation with the mastery of the instrument.  :)[/quote]

There is no sound pedagogical evidence that learning a kinesthetic skill (e.g., an instrument, most sports, etc), is in any way equivalent to gaining mastery of concepts (e.g., what children do in school).

Kinesthetic skills require drilling to develop the necessary physical response. Mental learning does not.[/quote]
Learning may or may not require practice. Like you said - there is proof that it does not.  But even if we assume that it does not,   so much of what kids learn at that age is really more a skill than an undersanding.  Handwriting is a skill, arithmetics is a skill, reading is a skill, spelling is a skill, analyzing problems is a skill.  That's at least 50% of all the learning in elementary school. Skip the homework and you may get people who understand the concept of multiplication, but can't multiply 5x6 without a calculator.  [/quote]

1. Why waste time memorizing multiplication tables or memorizing the spelling of words? Those skills are better learned in context, i.e., learn how to spell by reading and writing something engaging; learn math by doing empirical science experiments.

2. You have got to be kidding me if you think analyzing problems is a "skill" you can drill people to improve at. Analysis is a complex conceptual process and is best learned through experiential learning, NOT through drilling. Do you even have a degree in education, or are you just making things up?[/quote]

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