Re: Caboose?

[Richard Tarara <rtarara@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

'Caboose' I can understand, 'barge'--well maybe, but 'mule' and 'canal'!
There are (or should be) limits beyond which we simply can't pander to
student ignorance.

Rick

* The one I ran into was when I asked students to explain why a 'swamped'
canoe doesn't sink.  Many didn't understand what that meant.  I CAN
understand why they might not.

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Edmiston <edmiston@BLUFFTON.EDU>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Monday, October 04, 1999 10:01 AM
Subject: Re: Caboose?


> It might be fun to make a list of these.  For example, I had a problem
> on an exam in which a mule was pulling a barge through a canal.  I had
> students ask me what a mule is, and even had students ask what a barge
> is and what a canal is.  If I ever ask that question again, I guess I
> had better draw a picture, although turning the words into a picture is
> something I hoped to see if the students could do.
>
> Since the Miami-Erie Canal is an artifact of Ohio History, is studied
> in Ohio History classes in the public school, and goes within 30 miles
> of here, I figured students would know this stuff.  I guess not.
>
> Michael D. Edmiston, Ph.D.              Phone/voice-mail:
419-358-3270
> Professor of Chemistry & Physics        FAX:
419-358-3323
> Chairman, Science Department            E-Mail
edmiston@bluffton.edu
> Bluffton College
> 280 West College Avenue
> Bluffton, OH 45817