This "hypothetical conversation between a physics 7A student and a TA" is brought to you by Albert, who had TAed for the 7 series in the years past.
At the second lecture the teacher was still going over how we- are- not- here- to- teach- you- you- are- to- learn/think- on- your- own. (leik zomg)
Physics 7A TA: Hi there. How may I help thee?
Physics 7A student: Well, I'm stuck on problem 3 on the FNTs. I read over my notes from the last DL, when we talked about thermal energy and bond energy..I looked
at my lecture notes, and at the poor excuse for course notes, but I'm lost. Can you please help me on this problem?
Physics 7A TA: Young lady, I'm not your father.
Physics 7A student: Excuse me?
Physics 7A TA: Young lady, you are asking me to spoon-feed you information!! This class is the first time in your whole life you've actually had to think!! THINK!!!! THINK!!!! USE THE MODEL!!!! USE THE MODEL!!! Remember, models are our friends. They are what we think with!!!!
Physics 7A student: Okay, I understand that we use models...But can't you just do your job? Can't you give me some kind of hint to help me on the homework?
Physics 7A TA: Young lady, I'm not going to short-circuit your thinking by giving you the answer! You are asking me to hold you by the hand and think for you, and I won't do it!! This is the first time in your whole life you've actually had to think. THINK!!!
THINK!!! USE THE MODEL!!!
Physics 7A student: But just take a look at this problem...You see, what are they asking for? Look at the second sentence in the FNT...what system are they referring to? What are they asking for?
Physics 7A TA: If I tell you the answer, I'm cheating you of your education. I know it's hard, but you have to think.
Physics 7A student: But can't you give some guidance or some clue to help me solve the problem?
Physics 7A TA: That's the problem with our whole education system...right through grades K thru 12...Your whole life, you've had teachers doing your thinking for you. This is the first time you've actually had to do mental work....
2 comments:
ok, i kept seeing a circle while i was reading that =P
why? i won't tell you-
THINK!!!
Even worse is what students don't hear. I got so tired of hearing my fellow TAs talk about how "dumb" their students were. I never saw it that way when I was a TA; I always felt like I was on the side of the students. Call me crazy, but wasn't my job to help?? This thing about "short-circuiting their thinking" is an irrelevancy! If I'm a teacher, my job is to teach, and I can cut the condescending crap and do my job. My students WERE smart; part of my job is to get them to REALIZE that about themselves.
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