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* Most people learn (physics) best by actively doing ("engaging") rather
* than passively reading.
I agree, I suppose...but there is only so much time in one life! I can
read a book about the 50 great experiments in history, learning in a few
dozen hours what represents lifetimes of research and experiment.
* There is no better substitute for a good teacher, lively class, etc. We
* are their best resource for helping students understand this most
* difficult subject.
I agree, definitely. But it cannot be the only resource. Class time
represents just a few hours a week and there is so much more to learn.
If we let our students get out of the habit of reading, if in fact we
ENABLE them to not read, we are limiting what they can learn and WHEN
they can learn.
As to my use of the word "extraordinary": maybe a better choice of words
would be "surprisingly" or "refreshingly". I think that we give in to
this culture of not-reading and blame the books. When I look closely at
the books my classes use, I see lucid writing, thoughtful diagrams and
carefully worked examples. But to make that discovery, I have to read
and read slowly.
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