🚀 go-pugleaf

On 24 Apr 1995, Fred Bucheit wrote:

> Why should students be able to transfer ideas from one discipline to
> another? For 12 years they are seldom if ever asked to do it. The math
> teacher wouldn't think of applying math to the real world as this would
> demean his subject.
>     The Physics teacher presents Physics as though it
> were handed down on tablets printed in mathematical equations, expecting
> the student to find a numerical answer to the 5th decimal place when in

Fred
I think that you are taking an unjust shot at us high school teachers.
Many (but not all) of us try to intergrate our disciplines and get
students to bring knowledge from other subjects and previous courses.
From my experience as both a teacher and a student on and off for the
past fourteen years I feel that this happens as much or more in high
schools as it does in higher education.

The problem is seems to be that students have learned that if they fake
ignorance of something that the teacher thinks that they should then the
teacher will spend some class time covering something they already know or
will water down the intended lesson so that that information or skill is
not necessary.

I got hold of the complete scope and sequence for our science K-12
program as well as one for our 9&10 grade history, English and math
department. I teach mostly 10 graders in physical science classes.  This
information allowed me to have a good handle as to the types of
information (history and English lit) and Skills (math and English) that
I can expect from them.  This has allowed me to "call" my students on a
number of things that they claimed ignorance of.  This is not perfect but
it helps.

====================================================================
Joel C. Palmer                       "Once you have eliminated
"The Wizard"                         the impossible, what ever is
North Mesquite High S.              left, no matter how improbable,
18201 L.B.J. Frwy.                       must be the truth."
Mesquite Texas 75150                                  S. Holmes
====================== palmer@tenet.edu =============================