Re: pedagogical versus technological

[Bob LaMontagne <rlamont@POSTOFFICE.PROVIDENCE.EDU>]

Our general physics lab has a suite of 16 computers that line the walls
of the room. We make no effort to encourage the students to use the
computers. Our lab write-ups are all aimed at traditional paper and
pencil graphing. In fact, we provide the graph paper as part of the
write-up. Invariably, during the first lab a few students will ask if
they can do the graphing using Excel. We just say 'sure' and leave them
on their own. Eventually the whole class gravitates to the computers.

The thing that is is most satisfying is how the students spontaneously
start discussions amongst lab partner groups as to how to best format
the data and graph. Someone who is familiar with trendlines will place
one on the data - this snowballs into everyone doing trendlines. The
same thing happens in our labs involving error analysis and error bars.

I mention this ins response to the claim that computers are best when
used as discovery tools. That is exactly what we find. Canned learning
programs and CD's provided with textbooks fall flat pedagogically. But
just leaving the computers available as a tool for analysis does more
than we could ever deliberately set up in our lab write-ups.

Bob at PC

John Clement wrote:
>

> So I would say the issue is there, but it really boils down to approp=
> riate
> uses of technology.  You can get superb results with research based
> curricula and by using research based pedagogy, but just sticking a c=
> omputer
> onto every desk will do NOTHING.  Computers certainly allow students =
> to crib
> papers better and make the product much more readable.  They are also=
>  an
> absolute necessity for dyslexic students who need the spell checkers.=
>   They
> also allow students who have fine motor control problems to perform a=
> s well
> as normal students.
>
> Most people's opinions are just that, but there is a body of research=
>  into
> the topic, and OP ED pieces seldom look at the research.
>
> John M. Clement
> Houston, TX