RE: btp is a teacher now
09-07-2012, 03:10 AM
Like one thing my high school physics teacher did that was really cool was, before every single demonstration in class, he made us write down what we would think would happen, and defend it using the theory currently developed in class. As an extension of this, whenever we did any physics problem involving math, we had to start directly from the theory. As in, start with the equations
xfinal = xinitial +vinitial * t + 1/2 at^2
F = ma
and then manipulating them to get
xfinal = xinitial +vinitial * t +1/2 F/m t^2
rather than starting at the second thing. These things made us sure we were actually doing science, as in, actually testing against theory.
also, if it's at an appropriate level, don't hide the math. some people find material easier to understand if they see how it's derived, and/or if they can derive it themselves.
xfinal = xinitial +vinitial * t + 1/2 at^2
F = ma
and then manipulating them to get
xfinal = xinitial +vinitial * t +1/2 F/m t^2
rather than starting at the second thing. These things made us sure we were actually doing science, as in, actually testing against theory.
also, if it's at an appropriate level, don't hide the math. some people find material easier to understand if they see how it's derived, and/or if they can derive it themselves.