Let me add a another point of personal opinion to what Rick said,
Don't be afraid to use common sense. If you are an experienced teacher
you likely have a wealth of experience to draw upon.
E.g. I once read about a government grant to perform research to decide
whether or not there were more pedestrian accidents for people who
crossed intersections when the light was red versus when they had the
appropriate green light. Guess which situation had the most car
pedestrian accidents?
________________________
Joel Rauber
Department of Physics - SDSU
Joel.Rauber@sdstate.edu
605-688-4293
| -----Original Message-----
| From: Forum for Physics Educators
| [mailto:PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu] On Behalf Of Rick Tarara
| Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 9:15 AM
| To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
| Subject: Re: Research on Student Response Systems
|
|
| The problem here is one that faces almost all 'research' on
| educational methods--and was alluded to in an earlier post.
| There are no INDEPENDENT testing centers for any of these
| methods. The testing is done by the inventors/advocates of
| the method. As such they bring an enthusiasm and dedication
| to the method that will not be duplicated in general use.
| Hence, almost all published tests of new techniques are positive.
|
| With this one, the problem really is the
| infrastructure/upkeep/record-keeping that goes along with
| effective use. When new and novel, an instructor will put in
| the time and effort. What about year two and three?
|
| Rick
|
| *********************************************************
| Richard W. Tarara
| Professor of Physics
| Saint Mary's College
| Notre Dame, Indiana
| rtarara@saintmarys.edu
| ********************************************************
| F