Re: Test Writing

[Scott Goelzer <sgoelzer@EARTHLINK.NET>]

Not that much better in HS. No pressure from my admin. on this BUT

If the course is too rigorous and it is an elective then enrollment goes
down. WAY DOWN

So I face the choice:

Teach one or _maybe_ two sections of really rigorous physics to a few top
students who have to take it to get into a specific college program. Lecture
right through Giancoli, no time for questions now...

or

Teach six sections of the so called 'watered down' physics. More demos and
hands-on labs, easier homework with more time spent in class going over it,
white boarding, fewer topics covered, etc...


I choose the latter. I could kill my program in just one year with a
'traditional' curriculum. I think it is more important to expose as many
students as possible to this material even if it does not meet some
standards. This also means accepting students with deficient algebra skills,
lower work ethics, poor reading abilities. For some of these students, I am
their last chance to learn math or get involved with science in a positive
manner.

I know there will be some who find this controversial (just plain wrong),
but I like my job.

Scott




on 4/30/02 1:41 PM, Joe Heafner at heafnerj@VNET.NET wrote:

> > From: Rick Tarara <rtarara@SAINTMARYS.EDU>
> >
> > If you have really been told such then you really don't want this job, nor
> > should anyone in the community want to go to this school.  You will never be
> > happy working there.  Seek another job.
> Such is the state of community college education in this country. Tina and I
> have spoken at great length off list about this and it's simply outrageous. I
> get sick and tired of community college students (even some of my own) stating
> outright that courses at community colleges are SUPPOSED to be watered down
> and not challenging. However, it's quite another thing to have one's own
> administration foster this immature attitude. It's rampant here in North
> Carolina too. I've been quite fortunate over the past ten years to have had a
> small, but very competent, crop of graduates to on to great success at the
> universities.
>
> I really, really, really worry about the administrators though. They play
> their little game of self-preservation without truly understanding what the
> role of the classroom is. Nor do they truly understand the role of the
> instructor. It's all about money (as Hugh pointed out yesterday) to them come
> hell or high water.
>
> Tina, I share your concern and I fear for the reputation of your institution.
> Unfortunately, I don't have the ultimate answer. Let's hope both you and I,
> and others in this same situation, find a solution quickly.
>
> Pollyanna...oops...Joe
>
>
> Cheers,
> Joe Heafner - Instructional Astronomy and Physics
> CVAC Home Page <http://users.vnet.net/heafnerj/cvac.html>
> My Book <http://www.willbell.com/new/fundephcomp.htm>
> My Home Page <http://users.vnet.net/heafnerj/>