Re: Why Physics First?

[Joseph Bellina <jbellina@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

On Thu, 10 Oct 2002, Bob LaMontagne wrote:

I've taught physical science by inquiry using the McDermott material to
both in-service and pre-service teachers.  The in-service teachers are
much more fun to teach because they are actively engaged and want to
understand.  The pre-service teachers are still too much in the student
mode.

I've had little or none of the "what's going to be on the test" language
so far.
Perhaps it is the curricular design that does not allow the teachers to
take charge of their own learning so they can be curious.

cheers,

joe



> This frightens me. Most elementary teachers not only have incredibly poor science
> skills, many are openly anti-science. I've taught evening courses for elementary
> teachers who needed science credits - and I've also taught a high school physics
> course - I'd rather teach the high school students any day! The elementary teachers
> were only interested in getting a passing grade so they could get their next pay
> increment. There was no curiosity of any kind - it was just "tell me what to memorize
> for the exam". I'm really scared of the idea of these people teaching science to
> elementary students - they're far better off waiting until high school where the
> science teachers actually have some science in their undergraduate course work.
>
> Bob at PC
>
> This posting is the position of the writer, not that of SUNY-BSC, NAU or the AAPT.

Joseph J. Bellina, Jr.               574-284-4662
Associate Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556

This posting is the position of the writer, not that of SUNY-BSC, NAU or the AAPT.