Re: [Phys-L] kinematics objectives

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

How do you know that students are not interested in isolated concepts?  I
submit that students are interested in doing whatever will get them a good
grade.  If the course emphasizes concepts they will become interested in
them, or at least try to learn them.  But most courses have emphasized just
doing algorithmic procedures to solve problems, so students try to learn
them.  In reality most are not really interested in solving problems, but
they do it because that is what is expected.  The really good students will
have innate interest in concepts and will use them in problem solving.

The idea that students learn that isolated concepts are useless is because
the courses do not emphasize the use of them in problem solving.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

>   Note that students are quick to realize that isolated concepts
>   are essentially worthless, so they not motivated to learn.
>   In contrast, skills that lead to solving interesting problems
>   are seen as worth learning.
>