Re: Science-talk and clamming up -

Dewey Dykstra, Jr. (dykstrad who-is-at varney.idbsu.edu)
Thu, 1 Aug 1996 09:52:33 -0700

>Let's suppose, as with most language, that there are two rather
>different aspects: intonation (voice drops at the end of the sentence,
>etc), which might be cross-disciplinary, but perhaps different from one
>language or culture to another) and vocabulary (I know I was sure
>intimidated when I first heard someone talk about hermeneutics as though
>it were a familiar concept!)
>
>What then, allows a student to play the game? It seems they should
>learn by hearing, and then imitating the voice, but that isn't what
>seems to happen. My reticent students have spent a whole lifetime of
>NOT speaking up in classes, yet when I give them specific instructions
>regarding class participation, they can often pick up quite a bit in
>just a semester. I wouldn't say they necessarily get "the voice" in all
>its assertive glory, but it does make me think the role of the instructor
>in bringing students into the conversation is crucial.
>
>dale

In the best of all possible worlds, I'd vote to do away with this 'voice'
in the classroom and probably most other settings, but we live in a real
world.

Next, I was going to say that in this real world I'd advocate helping
students gain the 'voice' and well as try to reduce its negative effects in
the classroom. (Which even on the surface of it does not make much
sense...)

BUT, the ONLY redeeming values I can find in this 'voice' (which
incidentally I think includes not only vocabulary and grammatical
constructions and intonation but a logic or deep (albeit implicit)
paradigmatic base) are in the professional practice of 'the' discipline.
My problem is I teach a class in which NO ONE is going to be a physicist,
let alone a scientist, in their 'professional' lives.

SO, I think Dale's approach to helping them gain the 'voice' makes some
sense when we are considering the professional training of people for
particular disciplines, but I can't see how it makes much sense outside of
that particular enterprise. Unfortunately, I know that in physics the
people who teach at the university/college level seem incapable of thinking
of physics teaching at ANY level in any other way than what is tantamount
to professional training and weeding out the 'chaff.'

Dewey

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Dewey I. Dykstra, Jr. Phone: (208)385-3105
Professor of Physics Dept: (208)385-3775
Department of Physics/SN318 Fax: (208)385-4330
Boise State University dykstrad who-is-at varney.idbsu.edu
1910 University Drive Boise Highlanders
Boise, ID 83725-1570 novice piper
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