Re: [Phys-l] Pedagogy & development

["John M Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>]

But I did not say good teaching, but rather good learning.  SETS do 
not evaluate good learning, only consumer satisfaction.  I would agree 
that by definition showpersonship is good teaching at many 
institutions.  And it does attract students to take courses like 
British literature.  It is not clear that it even attracts students to 
physics.  It may attract students to specific sections.  Students have 
a huge gag reflex with respect to physics.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

> | 
> | Incidentally, to my knowledge, there is no research that 
> | shows that being a good showperson improves learning.  The 4 
> | lecturer research at AZ State would seem to negate that 
> | common assumption.  Malcolm Wells, the original Modeler, was 
> | apparently very low key, at least on camera.  I would call 
> | the showman myth a common misconception, or at best an idea 
> | which has a marginal influence on learning.
> | 
> | John M. Clement
> | Houston, TX
> | 
> |
>
> Of course, since many institutions define good teaching as high 
> numbers
> on student evaluations; then the common misconception may not be a
> misconception at all.
> _______________________________________________