Re: unexpected obstacles,was Ask Marilyn "geometry test"

[Larry Cartwright <exit60@CABLESPEED.COM>]

"Michael N. Monce" wrote:
>         Could you explain more why you believe this? When I teach,
> specifically, a year-long course in experimental physics I *purposefully*
> make the instructions for each lab vague.  I tell the students up front
> that they will be expected to figure out the how to set up the equipment,
> test it out, calibrate it, then decide how best to do their measurements.
> My background to them is usually working through the details of the
> theory.  Questions from them about the workings of an experiment are
> usually met by me with a question back to them.  A well-framed question,
> but I generally refuse to give them the answer directly.

Why do you do this; i.e., what is the purpose of this purposeful
obfuscation?

Best wishes,

Larry

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Larry Cartwright     <exit60@cablespeed.com>
Retired Physics Teacher
Charlotte MI 48813 USA
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Lord, preserve us from the excesses of those
who would do us harm; and preserve us from
the excesses of those who would protect us.
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