Teaching and testing the understanding of literature: A continued dialogue with Heinz von Foerster

Abstract

Purpose

To apply Heinz von Foerster's ideas on learning and testing to the teaching of literature in German higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a lengthy interview and on his published talks von Foerster's ideas are applied to the teaching of literature in German higher education.

Findings

The distinction between decidable and undecidable questions, the reflection of knowledge on a meta‐level, student responsibility for defining their areas of study and research, as well as their needs for factual information, the assessment of work by self‐assessment, reciprocal assessment or the presentation of work in performance or publication are analysed as instruments of an education that is informed by Heinz von Foerster's spirit: respect for the individual, curiosity and a permanent reflection of the contents and forms of teaching and learning, “from a higher point of view”.

Originality/value

Provides an assessment of how von Foerster's ideas would change the teaching and testing of German literature.

Citation

Renk, H. (2005), "Teaching and testing the understanding of literature: A continued dialogue with Heinz von Foerster", Kybernetes, Vol. 34 No. 3/4, pp. 460-470. https://doi.org/10.1108/03684920510581648