by Daniel Bliss, Molecular and Cell Biology (Home Department: Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute)
Their proficiency at internalizing and recalling textbook-level explanations had led them astray. My challenge, I realized, was to help them be able to switch into the thinking mode of an experimenter.
by Alexander Diesl, Mathematics
The ability to write mathematical proofs is not a result of genius but rather of an understanding of the language of mathematics. Students think that they lack fundamental understanding when they in fact lack only the ability to translate their intuition into mathematically precise statements.
Key learning principles from talks given by Jean Lave (Geography) and Rosemary Joyce (Anthropology).
Students learn best when teachers explain and teach discipline-specific skills. Based on a talk by Alan Schoenfeld (Education).
by Melina Esse, Music
I wanted the students to understand the difference between listening and hearing. In order to succeed in the course, they would need to practice directed listening: “listening for” rather than “listening to.”