Deidre Tronson (D.Tronson@uws.edu.au)
Mon, 30 Nov 1998 09:14:14 +0100
From: "Deidre Tronson" <D.Tronson@uws.edu.au> Subject: [ifets] Re: ifets-digest V1 #58 Date: Mon, 30 Nov 1998 09:14:14 +0100
Hi everyone,
to introduce myself:
I am a chemistry lecturer from Downunder who is trying to find time to
extend the range of resources available to first year non-science majors
taking chemistry and biochemistry. My subjects are offered both "on
campus" and by "distance education". I have become obsessed with trying to
encourage students to understand basic concepts and apply them to their own
areas of interest, rather than "learning facts". Some students seem to
appreciate this approach, some hate it, perform poorly and tell me i am not
teaching anything that is relevant to them. I would like to have a greater
range of options for these students, so that i can help more of them enjoy
learning that chemistry is central to understanding everything else in the
world.
Thus far, i have not used the electronic media very much - only because i
just don't have time to play with it sufficiently to do all the things i
know can be done. (Lab based research is considered to have a higher
priority than anything else where i am, and i am very behind with my
publications etc). Next week i hope to employ an assistant to help me
organise some www-based material in a form suitable for my students.
... but i would like to comment on the following:
Bob Leamnson wrote:
"The learner is the cause of learning--all else is
facilitation and inspiration. Whoever wants to learn will make
optimal use of whatever technology is available."
... and I agree with this.
To illustrate, i will tell you an aussie joke. it is about the role of the
teacher, though, rather than the use of technology:
Two kids were talking to each other about their pets. One stated that he
had taught his dog to whistle. The other one asked for a demonstration of
this amazing feat. The dog was called over and commanded to whistle, but
there was no whistling sound to be heard. The second child said to his
friend "I thought you said you had taught him to whistle". The first
stated "I did teach him. I didn't say he had learnt, though."
d.
Deidre Tronson email d.tronson@uws.edu.au
Lecturer in Chemistry
University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury phone +61 2 4570 1634
Locked bag #1, Richmond, NSW, 2753 fax +61 2 4570 1621
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