Blogs

Teaching the Subject vs.Teaching the Student

Type: 
Stories
Keywords: 
teacher-centered teaching, student-centered teaching, subject-centered teaching, teaching methods

When I took my education degree, there was a lot of talk about Student-Centered teaching versus Subject-Centered teaching versus Teacher-Centered teaching. I was very young and fresh out of my physics / math degree (where the "real learning" took place); I felt that all this talk on "Teaching" was mumbo-jumbo. I really didn't care about whether I taught the subject, or whether I taught the students. I just wanted to get my certificate so that I could teach math and science in the high schools. The education degree itself was, for me (the young me) a huge waste of time.

Giving up on students

Type: 
Stories

This past year was the first year ever I gave up on a student.

MIT sketching - Possibly the coolest "teaching" tool ever!

Type: 
Neat Tricks

I came across this video when I was over at Passon for Puzzles. This is one of the coolest sketching software / smartboard things ever, and I could see myself using this tool in my physics class or science class all the time. Since I love to draw and teach by sketching, with this software, I could actually get my sketches to move - properly. I love it! I was in awe when I watched this video. Take a peak if you have a few minutes to spare:

Roulette Betting System

Type: 
Stories
Neat Tricks
Reviews

According to Einstein on one can not able to win money in a roulette game if he does not cheat. If someone is looking for some easy to understand game of gambling, roulette is right option for him or her. This game of gambling has not difficult like craps as well as roulette betting system is also very easy. If one is looking for some easy understand slow paced casino game roulette is the only option for him or her. Roulette betting system is a part of a gambling game in which a ball is dropped on a revolving wheel with numbered compartments.

Rube Goldberg Machine Project

Type: 
Stories
Keywords: 
projects, rube goldberg, simple machines

For the final project this year, I made my grade 8 students make a Rube Goldberg machine. First, I taught all the simple machines, and then, as a cumulation to the unit, I told them that they had to use all of the machines in their Rube Goldberg machine project - Objective: to build a Rube Goldberg machine with at least 10 steps to light a candle. It had a few restrictions: but mainly the size of 6 feet by 6 feet by 6 feet. (The outline of the project is attached.)

Of course I had to inspire them with a "The Best Rube Goldberg Contraption Ever" You Tube video:

Am I hero or coward?

Type: 
Stories

Check this out: China earthquake: Teacher admits leaving pupils behind as he fled Chinese earthquake

{When the quake struck, rather than overseeing an orderly evacuation, he said he just shouted "Stay calm, it's an earthquake!" and ran for it without looking back to see if his pupils were following.

RobotGrrl

Type: 
Stories
Reviews
Keywords: 
student, website

On the last day of school before the exams, a physics student of mine gave me a present. It's called a Styrobot. It's made of a styrofoam cup, painted and decorated as if it was a head, but when you press a button it moves around. She made the robot! It looked cool and I was very excited to get it to work. Unfortunately, it didn't.

Best of the best - my old student Stephen Portillo

Type: 
Stories
Keywords: 
students, science fair, prizes

Recently, I got an email from a previous student of mine. He wrote this:

"I wanted to inform you that I qualified for the Canada-Wide Science Fair this year! And my project is reminiscent of the one I had when you taught me - instead of simulating an ecosystem, now I'm simulating mass transit networks. And I can definitely tell you all about my project later by e-mail, when I'm not so rushed!"

Welcome Chronicle Readers

Type: 
Stories
Keywords: 
published

If you are visiting Nucleus Learning after reading the recent West Island Chronicle article, welcome!

Waves at boundaries and interference

Type: 
Stories
Keywords: 
teaching, physics, waves

Tomorrow I am teaching a class on waves. I wanted to talk about waves at boundaries and interference.

Here is a great animation of the "waves at a boundary":

http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/reflect/reflect.html

Great visual explanation of constructive and destructive interference and standing waves:

http://www2.biglobe.ne.jp/~norimari/science/JavaEd/e-wave2.html
http://www2.biglobe.ne.jp/~norimari/science/JavaEd/e-wave3.html
http://www2.biglobe.ne.jp/~norimari/science/JavaEd/e-wave4.html

Here is a good demonstration of constructive and destructive interference:

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