[Edu-sig] Brainstorming and a neat link

[Kevin Ollivier]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Andrews" <rob@jam.rr.com>
To: "Kevin Ollivier" <kevino@tulane.edu>; "Roman Suzi" <rnd@onego.ru>
Cc: <edu-sig@python.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2001 10:40 PM
Subject: RE: [Edu-sig] Brainstorming and a neat link


> # -----Original Message-----
> #
> # Yeah, I think you are right about the motivation issue! Most of
> # the people I
> # know who are successful at what they do are highly motivated. In
> # fact, they
> # are able to pick new skills up with or without any formal training -
they
> # are constantly exploring new areas and trying to learn more about
whatever
> # it is they're interested in.
> #
> # The question then becomes: How do you motivate students? =) Can you, or
do
> # you just hope you get a motivated crowd who is ready to learn?
> #
>
> We hope for motivated students and use techniques such as Reinforcement
> Schedules and anything else we can think of to encourage motivation. And
> teachers should maintain their enthusiasm as much as possible, because
> students model after teachers in many and unpredictable ways. Communicate
a
> vision of what they are accomplishing, because a clearly expressed idea
> seems to take on an inertia of its own. And establish learning-oriented
> routines, because a well-cultivated habit can prevent many dilemmas before
> they even happen.

Sounds like a plan to me. I really agree with you on the issue with
teachers, I remember a couple of teachers who themselves REALLY liked their
subject, and their excitement spread to the class, almost like a virus. (You
know, the pre-computer kind.) I really wonder why more professors aren't
like that...

What do you mean by "learning-oriented routines"? That's a new term for me.

> But I could be wrong,

*Now* you tell me! =) (j/k)

Kevin