A "change of basis" is an action performed in linear algebra, whereby a change in fundamental structure yields an entirely new viewpoint. This blog began as a record of a pedagogical change of basis for me, and continues as an ongoing account of my thoughts as I design and direct courses in mathematics at the University of North Carolina, Asheville.
Here are two tremendously off-putting words one might encounter in reading others' teaching philosophies: lecture (particularly when used without exception as a synonym for "class") and cover (or any variation thereof).
4 comments:
Lecture? Isn't that what class is all about, what the teacher has to say?
And what's wrong with cover? Everyone knows class material is something like foul, immutable muck through which we must trudge to reach our destination (the grade, of course).
Come on Patrick, don't be so darn picky. They're just words, right?
The difference between "we will cover such-and-such material" and "we will reach an understanding of such-and-such concepts" reflects a real difference in the way a teacher thinks about a class and about teaching in general. Just because the stuff has been "covered" doesn't mean it has been taught or learned.
Yea! And "lecture" implies a lack of class participation and interaction, Anonymous I! Who do you think you are, anyway?
:)
I'm with you on the "lecture"="class" problem. It's tough to avoid using "cover" as shorthand, however. I do, however, like the word "uncover," as in "uncovering student misconceptions."
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