Re: [Phys-L] Indicators of quality teaching (Was:MOOC: Edx OffersMechanics course by Prof.Walter Lewin)

[Richard Tarara <rtarara@saintmarys.edu>]

IMO,  the test of the teaching/teaching methods is the end product.  
Hard, I think, to argue that our scientists and engineers, educated with 
_more traditional_ methods (and that is a vague term) have really been 
deficient. One CAN, I suppose, argue about the general public with more 
success.  However, the 'research tests (largely inbred)' have not, to my 
knowledge, shown great gains for college/grad-school graduates educated 
with different methods (I know--hard to get someone though a whole 
curriculum of reformed pedagogy).   So my take is not to give up too 
quickly on the good lecture.  It seems to work for some (most on this 
list for example) and the technical 'gains' tested in the educational 
research need to be proven as true gains in long term knowledge, skills, 
and successful careers and citizenship.

rwt  [Who has immersed himself in the Great Courses series of audio 
lectures and has learned a whole lot about Philosophy, History, 
Economics, Biology, and Linguistics in so doing!)

On 6/21/2013 3:51 PM, Larry Smith wrote:
> On Jun 21, 2013, at 1:37 PM, John Clement wrote:
> > Just remember the research that shows the only factor that matters is what
> > you do in class, and not who your are or what your style is.
>
> More important than what the teacher does in class is what the teacher gets the students to do in class.
>
> Larry
>
>
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--
Richard Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College

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www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/software.html