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As we all prepare for the beginning of another school year, I believe
that JD's suggestion of an algebra placement test for physics is an
excellent thing to remember. Students who can't do algebra coming in
will not have time to learn physics or algebra, and we don't have time to
teach algebra in our physics classes.
Bn
-> -----Original Message-----
-> From: Phys-l [mailto:phys-l-bounces@phys-l.org] On Behalf Of John
Denker
-> Sent: Saturday, December 14, 2013 12:59 PM
-> To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
-> Subject: Re: [Phys-L] Evaluation tests
->
-> Memo #1 from the keen-grasp-of-the-obvious department:
->
-> Give them an /algebra/ test. A poor algebra score is a strong
predictor of a
-> poor showing in the algebra-based physics course.
->
-> The converse is not necessarily true, but one-sided information
-> is better than none.
->
-> =======
->
-> Memo #2: It would be even better to give such a test as a placement
test,
-> well /before/ the start of class, rather than after.
->
-> Students who are weak in algebra should be strongly discouraged from
-> enrolling in the physics course to begin with. This is waaaay better
than
-> enrolling and then dropping after it is too late to sign up for
something else.
->
-> You can put the test on the web, so that students can take it at home,
while
-> they are still deciding what to sign up for. Link to it from the
official course
-> description. Cheaters hurt only themselves. If necessary, you can
catch
-> cheaters on Day One by giving a brief, similar test in class.
->
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