I Hate the Word “Grind”: You Can Scrub Dishes and Shoes, but Don’t Grind Through Practice Questions
The reader’s brief
The Chinese expression 'shua ti' means working through large numbers of practice questions, often for exams. Wu's target is mechanical repetition without understanding; her argument explicitly preserves problem-solving and exam preparation rather than rejecting them.
In a Guokr interview, physics educator Wu Yuren explains why her slogan against repetitive problem drilling does not mean students should stop solving problems. She argues that understanding the material, asking questions and doing experiments should come before repeated exam practice. She also acknowledges the importance of exam results and competition for education resources.
Wu describes building an exploratory physics laboratory at Tongji University and using ordinary objects for practical learning. She presents confidence gained through hands-on work as a way to keep children engaged when learning becomes difficult. The interview also discusses AI study tools: she questions whether answers supplied by software build a child's willingness and ability to think. This is an educator's stated approach, not a comparative study proving one teaching method is superior.
Background: Shua ti means repeatedly practicing exam questions.
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