Re: constructivism, was quantization

[Jerome Epstein <jerepst@worldnet.att.net>]

LUDWIK KOWALSKI wrote:
> Donald Simanek once formulated the most basic law of learning. He wrote
> NOTHING WORKS UNLESS STUDENTS WORK? 

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN


Attending lectures should be only the
> first step. The whole point of constructivist's practice, as I understand
> it, is to impose active participation during the time which would otherwise
> be devoted to lecturing. But even this does not work if there is no desire
> to learn independently at home. Trivial? Yes. Worth repeating?

Yes, Yes, Yes.

If students will reall really work hard, and struggle to process the
concepts, ANY method of teaching will give results. But the crucial
point is that the understanding does NOT come while the professor is
talking! It comes only while the student is processing -- whether it be
at home or in class. Hence the absolutely critical importance of SILENCE
in a good class -- those times when a question is hanging in the air and
students are attempting to get hold of it, at least to the extent of
being able to frame what they don't understand.

I think the greatest and most universal error in teaching is that the
professor can provide true understanding of fundamentally new ideas to
the student through the words the professor says. It almost never
happens that way. Think back on your own experience. At what point did
Newton's 3rd law REALLY begin to make sense to you?
Jerry Epstein