Re: Formal explanations vs. pathways of understanding (was:

[George Spagna <gspagna@rmc.edu>]

At 09:35 AM 7/18/96 -0700, Leigh Palmer wrote:


> I, too, see great value in presenting more of the historical development
> of physics in our courses. It is difficult to do so when we try to pack
> too much in, but it is worth doing in my view because it is interesting,
> and we often lose the interest of students with unleavened physics. The
> additional value, which I will not minimize, is that if it is taught with
> the proper degree of respect for our intellectual ancestors, students may
> develop that respect themselves, something I think very desirable.

Placing the discipline in context (cultural, historical, personal) not only
gives the students more opportunities to internalize physics, but also
demonstrates that science is a wholly human activity.  As such, science,
scientists, science education, and science educators are subject to all the
foibles and enoblements of humankind.
George Spagna           **********************************************
Department of Physics   *                                            *
Randolph-Macon College  *   "An insanity as enormous, as complex     *
P.O. Box 5005           *   as the one around me had to be planned.  *
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phone:  (804) 752-7344  *    -- Robert Heinlein, "They" (1948)       *
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e-mail: gspagna@rmc.edu **********************************************
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