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graph interpretation, was "Proper" scientific notation



At 10:52 AM 3/10/98 -0500, Donald E. Simanek wrote:

If they have never made them, will they be
able to intelligently interpret them?

where "them" refers to log plots.

While I don't want anyone to think that I'd argue that it's not
important to know how to make a log plot, or any kind of plot, I do
think it's important to recognize this:

Interpreting a graph is a separate skill from drawing a graph. Teaching
graph drawing does NOT teach graph interpretation. It only teaches the
mechanics of graph drawing. If you want students to interpret graphs,
have them interpret graphs.

Example: from playing with a motion detector and graphing software
(aren't such things common toys in the homes of physicists these
days???) my ten-year-old daughter is pretty good at interpreting
distance and velocity vs. time graphs. She cannot draw graphs. (But I'm
sure when the topic comes up in class she'll be a quick study, given
her interpretation skills.)

So, let's not over-emphasize the drawing of graphs at the expense of
interpreting graphs.

JEG
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John E. Gastineau gastineau@mindspring.com KC8IEW
900 B Ridgeway Ave. http://gastineau.home.mindspring.com
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