I think I have level 2 understanding of many areas of Biology but of course not all of it. It is too large a field. But there are gray areas around my high points of understanding where I am not sure how deep my understanding would go unless it was put to the test. And around the gray areas surrounding the level 2 areas there is a sea of superficial understanding. I have some small areas of computer science at level 2 but they are fewer and smaller, ditto chemistry and geology.
I think your question overlooks the nature of teaching skills. I am pretty good at teaching (verbally and one/few to one) and did it often for years. There is a real knack in finding the right place to start and the right analogies to use with a particular person. Someone could have more understanding than me and not be able to transfer that understanding to someone else. And others could have less understanding and transfer it better.
Finally I like your use of the word ‘understanding’ rather than ‘knowledge’. It implies the connectedness with other areas required to relate to lay people.
Perhaps the reason experts aren’t always good teachers is because their thought processes / problem solving algorithms operate at a level of abstraction that is inaccessible to a beginner.
I think I have level 2 understanding of many areas of Biology but of course not all of it. It is too large a field. But there are gray areas around my high points of understanding where I am not sure how deep my understanding would go unless it was put to the test. And around the gray areas surrounding the level 2 areas there is a sea of superficial understanding. I have some small areas of computer science at level 2 but they are fewer and smaller, ditto chemistry and geology. I think your question overlooks the nature of teaching skills. I am pretty good at teaching (verbally and one/few to one) and did it often for years. There is a real knack in finding the right place to start and the right analogies to use with a particular person. Someone could have more understanding than me and not be able to transfer that understanding to someone else. And others could have less understanding and transfer it better. Finally I like your use of the word ‘understanding’ rather than ‘knowledge’. It implies the connectedness with other areas required to relate to lay people.
Perhaps the reason experts aren’t always good teachers is because their thought processes / problem solving algorithms operate at a level of abstraction that is inaccessible to a beginner.