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Re: [Phys-l] active learning needs a theory




[Original Message]
From: John Clement <clement@hal-pc.org>

Unfortunately a theory will not promote it. We have huge amounts of data
that show that it gives better results. Hake's 6000 student survey is
overwhelming evidence in support of it, and yet this evidence is ignored.

I can also interpret this survey as saying that students who spend 3-6
weeks on Newton's Laws will score better on a Newton's Law test than
students who spend about one week on them (typical traditional curriculum).
I've never been terribly impressed by this--thus it is NOT, IMO,
overwhelming evidence. There are other factors/problems with the survey,
but I'll let it stand that it doesn't say to me what it seems to say to you.

Rick {Who can get good normalized gains on the FCI by focussing more
attention on the conceptual understanding of Newton's Laws without overt
'interactive techniques', but who also doesn't know anyone who does
'traditional lecture' anymore either. -- Classification of courses is one
of the problems I have with the survey above.}