Hi! To people involved with this subject:
When we complain about students just memorizing some formulas, we
are really complaining that they DON'T UNDERSTAND what all is about.
Memory is always very helpful, but lack of understanding certainly
not. A suggestion about trying to break their habit to just fit the
letters in the problem with some formula, is the following:
When giving a problem, TRY TO AVOID using the same letters
as in the formula. Example: using the formula F = m a, let them
calculate the acceleration produced by a force P = 3 Newton acting
on a body of mass W = 6 kg. Sometimes the letters to be used may
be suggested by the particular setting of the problem.
Regards Emilio