[Phys-L] Re: What students will do. (was: Physics Solutions Manual)

[Anthony Lapinski <anthony_lapinski@PDS.ORG>]

I agree. However, I tell my students that physics is HOT -- higher order
thinking. There are few, if any, subjects that compare to it. It is hard
to comprehend how the world works. We need good teachers and good books.
But the books are not very inviting. Teach the concepts before the
calculations. I like Hewitt's approach. Maybe too simplified, but at least
you can enjoy reading it and actually learn something. Of course, adding
math to a text always complicates things...

Forum for Physics Educators <PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu> on Wednesday,
February 8, 2006 at 3:30 PM -0500 wrote:
> Sorry, but these are all ways to once again let students off the
> responsibility hook.  They haven't learned to read and that is largely
> because the DON'T read.  Of course we can turn around and blame other
> teachers here--at the elementary/middle/high school level, but if we
> dismiss
> books and dismiss the NEED for books, for being able to read and learn,
> then
> we are dismissing the whole concept of life-long learning.  How, pray
> tell,
> do any of us on this list learn things NOW if not primarily by reading?
>
> Rick
>
> *********************************************************
> Richard W. Tarara
> Professor of Physics
> Saint Mary's College
> Notre Dame, Indiana
> rtarara@saintmarys.edu
> ********************************************************
> Free Physics Educational Software (Win & Mac)
>      NEW:  Updated MOTION animations.
>      COMING: Spanish language versions.
> www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/software.html
> Energy 2100--class project
> www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/ENERGY_PROJECT/ENERGY2100.htm
> ********************************************************
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John M Clement" <clement@HAL-PC.ORG>
>
>
> > Absolutely.  They also contain way too many topics.  They are a mile
> > wide, and inch deep, and too many pounds.  They make good doorstops.
> > There are some newer books that do have enough drawings, and then
> > there are some which present the information at a more measured pace
> > with enough depth.  I have found the Minds on Physics series to be
> > very good for HS.  It provides activities which challenge student
> > preconceptions, and present a coherent model for physics.  One can
> > skip over activities for extremely high caliber students, and slow
> > down profitably for others.  It does promote expert like problem
> > solving while helping students with their misconceptions.
> > Unfortunately the reader part of the book is a bit high level in some
> > respects, but it does provide good illustrations.  Anyone who wishes
> > to use it can find ancillary simulations on my website.
> > www.hal-pc.org/~clement
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