Rick Tamara wrote:
There are a couple other places in the intro sequence where a 15 minute
derivation SHOULD be intellectually justified.
I'm reminded of the story where one blizzardy morning the only person to
show up to Sunday services was a single dairy farmer. Having diligently
crafted his sermon to illustrate the beauty of creation with
inspirational and pertinent scripture, the minister decided that this
devoted parishioner should not be shortchanged and proceeded to provide
the full traditional service. After the service the minister commented,
"Well Mr. James, much like yourself, I'm here to care for my flock even
if that is only one soul."
To which Mr. James replied, "Yep, but I don't generally make the one cow
empty the whole silo."
I guess my point is that derivation and the ability to derive important
relationships purely from definitions is pure poetry to those who
already have a gut feel for the basic definitions that are involved, but
to the uninitiated and/or unfamiliar it not only fails to enlighten, it
sometimes confuses and intimidates students.
Greg Kifer
Olathe North High School/Johnson County Community College