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Date: Wed, 09 Aug 1995 07:42:09 -0500 (CDT)
From: markwell at unlinfo.unl.edu (john markwell)
Subject: Re: Practice exams on the web
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To: MONROEJD at VAX1.ACS.JMU.EDU (Jon Monroe)
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I would like to strongly agree with Jon Monroe's comment that use of
the internet is no substitute for a good teacher. I think that the
internet can be a valuable electronic library or repository for
information and resources for classes. I think that having electronic
access to old exams is better than putting them on reserve in the
library. Having materials available by electronic access can
potentially increse the richness of a course. But, deep down, I fear
some of our colleagues are resorting to the internet and multimedia,
when they should be practicing communication with a piece of chalk.
Here's a question for the group: If Socrates was alive today, would
he use the electronic medium? I think not. He had access to a more
powerful tool. He created a virtual reality in the mind of each of
his students. The internet and other electronic media may facilitate
the disribution of the teacher's understanding, but they do not really
facilitate the developement of a personal metaphor for each and every
student. This is where the teacher comes in.
Anyway, that's my opinion.
John
--
John Markwell Phone: 402-472-2924
Dept. Biochemistry FAX: 402-472-7842
University of Nebraska Internet: markwell at unl.edu
Lincoln, NE 68588-0664
