Re: [Phys-l] laptops banned from class.

[jbellina <jbellina@saintmarys.edu>]

I agree with Jack...we do need to sell them on the value of learning  
for themselves. Luckily there are curricula that help engage the  
students in their own learning.  Done well, they can be infectious.
On the other hand, its tough to get them to buy into the idea, since  
their experiences, sadly, have been in the other direction.  Like all  
new things, the first time is the toughest.  For that reason we need  
to support efforts to have this sort of curriculum be part of the  
K-12 agenda.

cheers,

joe
Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556

On Mar 31, 2006, at 12:19 PM, Carl Mungan wrote:

> > the goal of top notch teaching, IMO, is to persuade
> > students to learn for themselves.
> > 					Regards,
> > 						Jack
>
> I find this statement to be provocative (in a good way, ie.
> stimulating thought). The claim is our job is to PERSUADE.
>
> I agree that effective learning is self-driven not teacher driven.
> You can bring 'em to the trough but you can't make 'em drink, and all
> that.
>
> But I'm not sure I know how to persuade people of anything. I've
> always been a lousy salesman type, scoring miserably on personality
> tests that purport to quantify that kind of attribute.
>
> I know how to model some aspects of learning. (The aspects that match
> my learning style, mostly.) I know how to mull over interesting ideas
> and applications. I know how to sift through chaff to find some
> nuggets. I know some classroom techniques (project loudly, write
> slowly and clearly, vary what I do, be enthusiastic).
>
> But I'm quite sure I don't directly know how to persuade others to
> learn. If this really is the highest goal, I think I get a D at best.
> What do others think is the single highest goal of teaching and how
> can one achieve it? Carl
> --
> Carl E. Mungan, Asst Prof of Physics  410-293-6680 (O) -3729 (F)
> Naval Academy Stop 9c, 572C Holloway Rd, Annapolis MD 21402-5002
> mailto:mungan@usna.edu     http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/
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