Education

The Diderot Effect: Avoiding the Spiral of Consumption in Teaching and Education

While it is important to stay updated and utilize effective resources, it is equally crucial to assess the actual needs and effectiveness of these materials.

Jeremy Jorgensen

Nov 3, 2023 — 2 min read

Photo by Brett Jordan / Unsplash

Denis Diderot was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer. He was one of the prominent figures of the Enlightenment and is best known as the co-founder and chief editor of the Encyclopédie, a comprehensive encyclopedia that aimed to summarize and disseminate knowledge during the 18th century.

The Diderot effect is a phenomenon that occurs when acquiring a new possession leads to a spiral of consumption that results in the acquisition of even more possessions. In other words, it means that buying something new can cause a chain reaction of buying more and more things because the new item makes one feel like one needs other things to go with it or to keep up with it. This can lead to overspending and accumulating more possessions than one needs or uses [source]

The Diderot effect can be applied to teaching by recognizing the potential spiral of consumption in educational materials and resources. Just like acquiring a new possession can lead to the desire for more related items, teachers may feel the need to constantly acquire new teaching materials, resources, and technology to enhance their teaching. There is always a new shiny toy waiting right around the corner.

While it is important to stay updated and utilize effective resources, it is equally crucial to assess the actual needs and effectiveness of these materials. If your pedagogy is strong many of the tools you have in your tool kit already will get the job done. Being a good teacher involves understanding the core principles of teaching and focusing on providing quality education rather than constantly chasing after the latest teaching trends. materials, and technology.

By critically evaluating the necessity and impact of each teaching resource, you can avoid unnecessary overspending and ensure that your focus remains on creating a meaningful learning experience for your students.