Re: Memorization and terminal physics course

[davies@purav4.physics.purdue.edu]

In response to Leigh's note:
> Which conceptual developments do you consider the most likely candidates
> for inclusion in such a course? I think you will find that if you assemble
> a random chosen committee with more than two members you will get enough
> topics to overfill any course. 
I did not, nor do I now, want to suggest what topics others should include
in their courses.  That there are difficult decisions to be made in regard
to course content is not unique to any one approach to teaching.

I simply tried to point out that physicists' testimonials that many
courses and experiences were required for them to obtain a deep 
understanding of the many topics covered in their first courses, is one
argument for conceptual change teaching (along with the reduction of 
topics that it implies) in physics courses where the students will most likely
not have the many experiences afforded professional physicists.  If one is 
swayed by this and other arguments, then one's curriculum decisions will be
affected.

> I think that building a course on the criterion of applicability of
> concepts to "life" is wrong-headed. 
I did not mean to say this in my note.  Sorry about the confusion. I did
attempt to acknowledge that plenty of learning takes place outside of
the classroom. Also, since revisiting ideas is a powerful
instrument in learning, curriculum designers should consider the 
different life experiences vis-a-vis physics expected of students in 
different disciplines.  This is hardly earth shaking.  I did not mean
for it to be a main thrust of my original note. I simply wanted to 
acknowledge these important, but not revolutionary, issues.


Rob


               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
               ^         Rob Davies          ^
               ^  Lab Manager and Lecturer   ^
               ^  Physics Department         ^
               ^  University of Denver       ^
               ^  Denver, Colorado, USA      ^
               ^  rodavies@du.edu            ^
               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^