Re: [Phys-l] Students' READING abilities

["Anthony Lapinski" <Anthony_Lapinski@pds.org>]

The sarcasm is unnecessary...

We need a paradigm shift in our teaching. What are our "goals"?

I went to a private "liberal arts college " 25 years ago. Intro calc-based
physics had a about 60 students. We must have done one chapter each week,
straight lecturing, including a lab and test. Nobody could understand
physics! Too difficult. Too fast. The school graduated less than 5 physics
majors each year. These were "smart" kids.

Looking back, it was virtually impossible to learn/understand the topics
presented. There's got to be a better way. There IS a better way. But
something has to give. The pace must slow down so students can comprehend
what they are trying to learn. We must teach them how to think...


Forum for Physics Educators <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu> writes:
> OK everybody.  If you don't do it John's way, don't bother to do it.  You 
> might as well quit right now.  Maybe the new administration can pass a
> law 
> to dictate exactly HOW we should all teach (and think, and interact with 
> others, etc.).  I know John really believes in this stuff--even believes
> the 
> research if proof (of something--but exactly what is somewhat unclear. 
> By 
> what criterion is this or that better, and whose criterion is that? One 
> style fits all course goals--I guess.)   I personally get tired of the 
> constant litany here.  For the goals I have, what I do (developed over 30 
> years and constantly being changed and updated, containing elements of
> many 
> different teaching/learning styles--even inquiry!) serves reasonably
> well. 
> I don't see how one methodology here can serve all the goals I have, but 
> then I'm getting too old and inflexible!  Anyway, for all you young-uns,
> I 
> guess it's Clement's way or the highway!
>
> Rick  ;-)
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>
> > If the new courses were all taught using inquiry, I can see supporting 
> > them.
> > But they won't be.  And at the same time physics is likely to go to 
> > freshman
> > year and be taught by the former physical science teachers who have
> many 
> > of
> > the same misconceptions as their students.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l