Re: Discovery Learning and Guided Inquiry (was Re: AP students)

[Robert A Cohen <bbq@ESU.EDU>]

On Mon, 30 Apr 2001, RAUBER, JOEL wrote:

> Do you require that your students cover the other content on their own?  And
> if so, how?
>
> E.g. do you give the same type of tests covering the same amount of material
> that you used to directly cover?

I am no expert on constructivistic teaching.  One of my problems has to
do with weak formative assessment.  I wouldn't use my teaching as an
example of excellence in the classroom.

In any event, my answers are as follows:

Yes, I require that my students cover the other content on their own.  I
hand out a list of objectives (with explanations of each objective and
sample problems) and they are responsible for 5 objectives each class.  I
introduce the objectives one class, they do the readings, and then I
address problems they have the following class.  Ideally, I spend time
only on those things they need time on although I admit I design
activities to address the difficulties students usually encounter.

Yes, my tests are the same type I used before.  Yes, the tests cover
the same amount of material I assessed before.

Again, I don't say that my teaching is great.  It is just that I see no
reason why it necessarily has to take longer if we teach students to
critically examine their understanding of the content.

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| Robert Cohen               Department of Physics       |
|                            East Stroudsburg University |
| bbq@esu.edu                East Stroudsburg, PA  18301 |
| http://www.esu.edu/~bbq/   (570) 422-3428              |
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