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[Phys-L] Re: Partners in Innovation: Teaching Assistants in College Courses



There is no question that some of the people teaching physics in high
school, or initiating physical concept development in middle school or
junior high are really not very qualified to do so. That said, the
suggestion that we leave it for college is, as you indicate, impractical and
unnecessarily defeatist. Further, the assumption here is that only college
professors are qualified to teach physics in such a way as to not "turn off"
students, and I'm sure that many of us can attest that there are some
college professors who manage to do exactly that. There are good and poor
teachers at EVERY level of education.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sheron Snyder" <snyders@CABLESPEED.COM>
To: <PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU>
Sent: Friday, November 25, 2005 6:58 PM
Subject: Re: Partners in Innovation: Teaching Assistants in College Courses


Questions and comments:

So there is no rational for students to be provided in their physics
courses
as to why they should wear a seat belt?

Is that okay with everyone?

There is no reason/need to learn that energy exists and must be accounted
for.. and many more important concepts that we are able to get to
students....some without calculus and tons of equations.

Is that the acceptable?

No, physics should not be waiting until college. Physics is a part of
every
person's life. You can't blink your eyes without an application of
physics.
You can't push open a door, without physics. Why must it wait for college
when the vast majority of people won't be going there?

After your name, the first thing you had was probably something hanging
over
your crib. It moved, it was colorful and maybe even made noise.....all of
this is physics. Yes, the coach can do a good job with physics if HE or
SHE
is provided with the right materials, course of study and attitude from
above.

It is my approach that physics is in everything, so everything can be used
to teach physics' concepts and principles. And this is most definitely
NOT
memorization! Please get busy and produce materials and experiments that
are MEANINGFUL. Physics is understandable at many levels and is not just
for the 'college students'

If physics is the foundational science, as I hold it is, then physics can
not wait to be experienced at ages 19+, besides it is so fascinating that
many will not let this happen to themselves.

Sheron Snyder

retired HS teacher
and still
Planetarium Operator
Newsletter Editor
Community College Instructor
Mason & Lansing, MI

.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob LaMontagne" <rlamont@POSTOFFICE.PROVIDENCE.EDU>
To: <PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2005 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: Partners in Innovation: Teaching Assistants in College
Courses


So instead of turning kids off to physics by having the coach (or someone
who has an ed degree but never took a lab-based physics course) teach the
course, why not simply eliminate physics from the primary and secondary
curriculum. I don't see any possible good coming from forcing kids who
are
not ready for linear reasoning sit through these courses. Let them take
"sciences" that are basically memorization - like biology or astronomy -
instead. Physics is a waste of time for most people until they enter
college. Perhaps an AP course in high school for the exceptional few that
are ready for it might be acceptable.

Bob at PC

-----Original Message-----
From: Forum for Physics Educators [mailto:PHYS-L@list1.ucc.nau.edu] On
Behalf Of John Clement
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2005 12:47 PM
To: PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU
Subject: Re: Partners in Innovation: Teaching Assistants in College
Courses

I would say the Dick Hake hit the nail on the head. Notice that the same
problem runs throughout the education system. The HS teachers and
elementary school teacher have very inadequate training in using
interactive
engagement. And many of them actually have inadequate preparation in
understanding science. It is no wonder that interest in science and
especially physics decreases with longer education.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

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