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Re: [Phys-l] Physics First Revisited

Brian-
Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
My Nobel question was offered strictly as an analogy; the topic was not teaching, but "tyranny of labels." I agree that there are Nobel Laureates in physics who have been (and are) great teachers and some who have been not so great teachers.
I was, clearly, I believe, responding to your question: if not the educators (self-styled), who else?
It is very difficult to maintain a coherent dialogue in this medium.
Regards,
Jack


On Mon, 2 Feb 2009, Brian Whatcott wrote:

Jack,

you asked if a Physics PhD is a disqualifier or a qualifier to a Nobel
in that topic.
I would necessarily answer that some academic physics background is most
certainly a qualifier
for Nobel consideration in that area, despite the counter-examples in
this and other topics,
which are not hard to find.

Since you DIDN'T ask about the value of a preceding or subsequent Nobel
Laureate to teaching
potential in physics I would tentatively suggest on the evidence to
hand, that a Nobel is a
contra-indication for effective teaching in that topic.

Seems to me that there is a certain confusion about this particular
bifurcation of
research versus teaching: they are not strongly correlated, in my always
humble opinion.

Brian W


Jack Uretsky wrote:
I invite Brian to revisit the question at the end of his post and consider
whether the question is another example of the tyranny of labels. Would
he suggest that someone who lacks a Ph. D. based upon a physics
Dissertation should never be considered for a Nobel prize in physics (I
know an Ed professor at UIC who once answered, "Yes," to this question) ?

But a somewhat frivolous answer to the question, based upon my experiences
in obtaining a teacing certificate through UIC, is "almost anyone".
Regards,
Jack

On Mon, 2 Feb 2009, Brian Whatcott wrote:


Jack Uretsky wrote:

Hi all-
This is a fine example of the tyranny of labels.
Because there is a department called "Education" in your school,
and people who call themselves "Teachers of Education", we are to assume
that these people can tell us how to teach effectively....Jack

One who has no particular sharp edged implement to hone could as well
offer this:

"There is a tyranny of labels.
Because there is a Department of Physics (..or pick one to taste) in
your school,
and people who call themselves physicists ( ) or teachers of physics (
), are we to assume
that these people can teach physics effectively?"

One wants to answer: "If not them, then who?"

Brian W
_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l





_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l


--
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General Custer's unremembered message to his men,
just before leading them into the Little Big Horn Valley