learning
Dot Physics
Category archives for learning
What makes a good lab?
Posted by Rhett Allain on May 25, 2009 I was wondering around the blogosphere and read some stuff about introductory physics labs. In particular, I was looking at ZapperZ’s Revamping Introductory Physics and Dr. Pion’s Objectives for a Lab. Both of these are good posts. Here I thought I would add make take on this subject as I am picking the labs I…
Teacher-Student-Class-Learning
Posted by Rhett Allain on April 7, 2009 Dan Meyer at dy/dan just posted about teacher-student analogies. His analogy is that the student is like a weight lifter and the teacher is the spotter. I like this. It is similar to my usual analogy that the teacher is like a trainer and the student doing some exercise. Another analogy I often use is…
Registering for classes with RateMyProfessor
Posted by Rhett Allain on March 20, 2009 So, I was in the student computer lab helping a student with a numerical calculation. I couldn’t help notice the student next to me was registering for classes. Here is here strategy: Look at required courses. Check available classes. Check ratemyprofessor.com. Re-check available classes. Repeat. So? What is wrong with this? I see a couple…
A note about cramming for tests
Posted by Rhett Allain on January 6, 2009 The Teaching Professor has a short note about students cramming for exams. The article talks about how you should deal with students cramming for exams. It includes the correct answer: you shouldn’t do anything accept maybe change your tests. What is the purpose of a test? It is some way to evaluate what a student…
Learning in College and the role of instructors
Posted by Rhett Allain on December 10, 2008 There is something that has been bothering me about students learning in college. The question is, how much do I treat students like adults and how much do I treat them like children? I have been leaning towards treating them like adults. For example: do I require them to come to class? Right now, no.…
Teach your child to ride a bike
Posted by Rhett Allain on December 2, 2008 For many people, it is the time of the year to put the bikes away. I live in Louisiana, so now is the time to get the bikes out (too hot in the summer). Learning to ride a bike is a curious thing. Most parents use training wheels to get kids started. I do not…
Mr. Miyagi and learning
Posted by Rhett Allain on September 17, 2008 So here I was in thermal physics class. The students were talking about the assigned homework and then asked: “can’t we get some homework credit for this? Why are we even doing this?” Immediately in my head popped “wax on, wax off”. This was the same situation Mr. Miyagi (from [The Karate Kid](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Karate_Kid)) was in…
How long do you wait for a question to be answered?
Posted by Rhett Allain on August 29, 2008 I teach classes. I ask questions in class. I wait for answers. All faculty do this, so who cares. If you are in a class or teaching a class, how long do you wait for someone to answer your question? Well, I asked two questions of my class this week. 1. Estimate how long I…