Re: Formal explanations vs. pathways of understanding (was: momentum before force

[dykstrad@varney.idbsu.edu (Dewey Dykstra, Jr.)]

> All this smacks of a fad of a decade or more ago, the discovery approach.
> I don't see this being used much any more. As with many such methods, it
> works well for an enthusiastic, dedicated group but it becomes less
> effective when passed on to less committed folk. The initial proponents
> eventually lose interest and the idea dies, only to be rediscovered by a
> later generation. Perhaps it is the enthusiastic teacher, and not her
> particular methodology, which produces results.
>
> Leigh

I cannot speak for others, but what I'm talking about is decidedly NOT
discovery.

In passing one also cannot chalk up success in teaching up to enthusiasm
either.  There is ample data from things like the FCI to demonstrate that
at least one other 'variable' is significant.  Hake will have a paper in
AJP shortly which illustrates this with data from 8000 or more students.

Dewey

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Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr.                   Phone: (208)385-3105
Professor of Physics                    Dept:  (208)385-3775
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