Simple: easy to understand, deal with, use, etc.:
Easy: not hard or difficult; requiring no great labor or effort; free from pain, discomfort, worry, or care
Simple and easy are two words that are used interchangeably. They are not the same. It is often possible for something to be simple, but not easy. For example, it's simple to dig a six foot hole with a shovel. Just push the shovel in the ground, remove the dirt, and repeat. It's not easy, though. Give it a try if you don't believe me. Getting into shape is simple. Basically, it requires eating the right foods and getting sufficient exercise. But, again, it is not easy. It requires knowledge, drive, and often a lifestyle change to accomplish.
In education, much of what we do is simple. For example, teaching, at its core, is a fairly simple process. Determine what students need to learn and why. Develop lesson plans. Teach. Let students practice the new learning. Assess. Reteach if necessary. Yet, while the basic process is simple, it is not easy. Besides having the content knowledge and planning the lesson out in detail, the effective teacher must also know their students well enough to make the lesson connect with them. Activities must be differentiated for the various levels of students in the room. Classroom management strategies must be employed when necessary. They must be prepared for potential problems and concerns and be able to make multiple minute adjustments throughout the lesson cycle. These examples just touch the surface of all that goes into a great lesson. Simple. In many ways, yes. But, definitely not easy.
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