Re: What is understanding?

[cfg@nebula.physics.uakron.edu (Frank Griffin)]

The problem with the following is that it does not give the novice (student
much help.)

>                                        Ludwik Kowalski
>
>
> UNDERSTANDING is attended when a student can confront a novel situation
> and validly discuss it (at length) with an expert.

Here is what I gave my students this spring with regards to what I mean by
understanding.

"To me "understanding" means that when given an equation, the person can,
in their own words:
*       explain the meaning of every symbol in the equation,
*       describe the meaning of groups of the symbols, for example mv2/2,
*       describe the meaning of the entire equation.

Further, the student can:
*       recognize any contraints or limitations on the situations to which
the equation applies,
*       recognize a situation in which the equation applies,
*       create a situation where the equation can be applied,
*       do proportional reasoning with the equation,
*       recognize and reason with graphical representations of the equation,
*       state whether the equation represents a definition, a fundamental
law, etc.,
*       match the symbols given in a picture representation of the problem
to the symbols in the equation if these are different.

This is not complete nor even original but may be useful.

Frank Griffin



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
C. Frank Griffin                        Phone:  (330) 972-8027
Department of Physics                   Dept.:  (330) 972-7078
University of Akron                     Fax:  (330) 972-6918
Akron, OH 44325-4001                    cfg@nebula.physics.uakron.edu