Re: a query on standards

[brian whatcott <inet@INTELLISYS.NET>]

At 08:58 10/24/00 -0600, you wrote:
> ///
> Knowledge of Subject Matter
>
> 3. The teacher understands the concepts of form and function.
>
> This is the issue I'm particularly interested in.  Is this an important
> subject matter theme in physics?  How would you assess teacher or student
> knowledge of this standard?
>
> Thanks for your help in this matter.
>
> Dewey
> Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr.

In a commercial or industrial milieu, this is reminiscent of a purchase
contract mantra: "The item will replace in form, fit and function a..."
 [preexisting equipment type.]
   In the case of a hypothetical car:
form:
 4 wheels, steel roof, 2 wheel drive, stick shift.

fit:
 will allow a 6'5" person to enter the driver's position without
ducking her head.

Function:
 will carry a 27 cu ft cube in the rear compartment with the fifth door
 closed, at a speed in excess of 100 km/hr.

This is all very well, but I suspect it's unlikely to be the
desired intention.

 Here's a slightly more plausible interpretation:
Forms of equations and expressions:
linear, first, second, third degree, polynomial, exponential,
infinite series. Usual solution types, etc., etc.

Forms of Hypotheses:
Controls, null, differential treatment, reduction of error.
Display and presentation of results.


Function:
A conception of transfer function, a sketch of various
transformations, their purpose etc., etc.

If this latter approach were needed, who would be better prepared
than a physics tutor?

brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>  Altus OK
                Eureka!