It might be fun to make a list of these. For example, I had a problem
on an exam in which a mule was pulling a barge through a canal. I had
students ask me what a mule is, and even had students ask what a barge
is and what a canal is. If I ever ask that question again, I guess I
had better draw a picture, although turning the words into a picture is
something I hoped to see if the students could do.
Since the Miami-Erie Canal is an artifact of Ohio History, is studied
in Ohio History classes in the public school, and goes within 30 miles
of here, I figured students would know this stuff. I guess not.
Michael D. Edmiston, Ph.D. Phone/voice-mail: 419-358-3270
Professor of Chemistry & Physics FAX: 419-358-3323
Chairman, Science Department E-Mail edmiston@bluffton.edu
Bluffton College
280 West College Avenue
Bluffton, OH 45817