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Are there certain clientele who really can't handle and don't need the
mathematical treatments that many courses are wont to present?
Unfortunately I didn't copy the reference, but the following is from an AIP
or APS survey of physics trained people working outside of academia (maybe
someone else has the reference). It asked about the most important skills
needed for their work.
The one group for which I can certainly justify the need for strong
conceptual understanding would be future teachers, but it is this group,
specifically elementary-ed majors, where we find the most resistance to the
more mathematical treatments. It is certainly true at my school (and I
suspect many others) that the level of mathematical sophistication needed to
be certified in elementary-ed, and therefore to teach science in elementary
schools, often falls below basic algebra. That is, a non-zero number of
successful elementary ed students COULD NOT pass a typical algebra level,
problem solving physics course. I question whether that is the level of
expertise we want teaching our children--at any level?
Rick Tarara