>Jim Martin
I don't think that there is much chance of the "powerful math or science or
humanities discourse" being renovated in any reasonably short period of
time. I agree that it rains havoc in classrooms and largely ruins most
students' access to understanding ideas in these subjects. This discourse
is used by the instructors and encouraged by these instructors in typical
classes.
It seems to me that at best we can run classes in which such discourse is
either diminished or eliminated, at least, not rewarded, focusing instead
on students examining and communicating and testing their own ideas about
the "phenomena" which are being examined in the class.
While I think that the discourse referred to is very distructive in the
classroom, it is not clear to me that it has no practical or redeeming
value, hence I cannot be quick to advocate that it be renovated in the
speech of the practitioners of the subjects.
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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