[einpoklum]

From my experience both as a student and as a teacher (formal and informal settings; the formal ones in academia): Different people respond differently to different modes of teaching / exposure to information.

* Some only "get it" when it's explained to them in a classroom, preferably by an engaging teacher; while others have to read it in the book.

* Many, perhaps most, won't really get it unless they do the homework; but others can do all of the exercises you give them, and still fail to get the bigger picture, and will be lost if faced with something slightly different than what they exercised.