What It Takes To Be A Cool and Effective Teacher: The Prof. Walter Lewin Way

   Every student wants to have a cool teacher, and every teacher aspires to become a cool teacher and not just simply a cool teacher but an effective and cool teacher that every student loved and remembered.  But then what it takes to become a cool and effective teacher?  Recently I’ve meet an awesome professor on YouTube (and I want to meet him personally) and he is really extremely amazing teacher.  I was spellbound but simply watching his lecture on video.  That extremely cool teacher is Prof. Walter Lewin. The 71-year professor teaches physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  He teaches in the most unorthodox ways just show to his students the zany beauty of science.

In one of his lecture Prof. Walter Lewin swings at the bottom of a 15-foot pendulum. He is swinging high and wide, his rapt audience of 300 counting off each cycle. He did that at the end of his lecture on Hooke’s Law, in which he proves the pendulum’s period, or time that it takes to complete one cycle, is not affected by the mass at the bottom — in this case, his own body (cool huh…).

On other occasions he suck helium and continue his lecture sounding like a Dutch Daffy Duck just to emphasize the differences in the speed of sound in certain gases. There was also an instance that he shoot across the classroom stage astride a bicycle mounted with fire extinguishers to demonstrate a rocket’s change in momentum. (Can you do that teacher?)

According to Prof. Lewin the memorization of formulas and equations is not the most effective way to teach. Teachers must, he believes, engage students with action. 

You have to challenge [students]. You have to be a little fun. I could make them sit on the edge of their seats, I could make them wet their pants." — Walter Lewin .

In one of his most dramatic and popular lectures the demonstrated the Hooke’s Law by facing down a wrecking ball.  It involves putting his face in the trajectory of a 33-pound steel wrecking ball.  He holds the ball near his face and tells his audience if he provides even the slightest push, rather than just allowing the ball to swing away on its own momentum, it will be his last lecture. Students edge forward in their seats as he begins the countdown. "Five, four, thee, two, one," the countdown began and Prof. Lewis very, very, gently releases the wrecking ball.  It swings back on a wide arc until it loses forward momentum and then drops back in the other direction, headed right for Lewin’s face.  The 71-year old PhdD degree holder professor close his eyes as a puff of wind from the ball blows kisses to his face, but the ball itself stops just millimeters from the tip of his chin. Students gasp.

"Physics works! And I’m still alive," Lewin exclaims to thunderous applause. (Watch the video)

It’s clear that those present or watching online will not soon forget this lesson on the conservation of mechanical energy — nor the man who taught it to them.

From email responses to his lectures, he’s purportedly help snap some viewers out of depression, inspired career changes and even attracted two marriage proposals.  But Lewin says one of his most meaningful notes was from a man claiming to be from Iraq.

"In spite of the bad occupation and the war against my lovely Iraq," it reads, "you made me love USA because you are there and MIT is there."

Way to go Teacher!!!  You ROCK!

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One-Eyed Momma (A Mother and Son Story)

My mom only had one eye. I hated her… she was such an embarrassment.   She cooked for students & teachers to support the family.  There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me.  I was so embarrassed.   How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out.   The next day at school one of my classmates said, "EEEE, your mom only has one eye!"

 
I wanted to bury myself.  I also wanted my mom to just disappear.  I confronted her that day and said, “If you’re only gonna make me a laughing stock, why don’t you just die?" My mom did not respond.  I didn’t even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger.  I was oblivious to her feelings.  I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her.  So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad to study.   Then, I got married.  I bought a house of my own.  I had kids of my own.  I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts, and then one day my mother came to visit me.  She hadn’t seen me in years and she didn’t even meet her grandchildren.

 
When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I screamed at her, "How dare you come to my house and scare my children!

GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!"

And to this, my mother quietly answered, "Oh, I’m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address," and she disappeared out of sight. One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house.   So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip.  After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.   My neighbors said that she died.  I did not shed a single tear.  They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.

My dearest son,

I think of you all the time. I’m sorry that I came to your house and scared your children.   I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion.  But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you.  I’m sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.  You see……..when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye.

As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you having to grow up with one eye.  So I gave you mine.  I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.

 
With all my love to you,

Your mother.

Note:  Original story from Cute cupid of wayn.com

PC Operation NC II

National Certification (NC) is a TESDA program for middle level skills development.  NC Level assessment is a process of determining the qualification level and certification level of a person based on competency assessment.  It measures the person’s possession and application of knowledge, skills and attitudes to perform work activities to the standard expected in the workplace.  Competencies within a specific level of qualification are small units of work that can merit a person/worker a job after completion. Therefore, completion of a certain competency would assure the industry that a person/worker can perform a specific task/work.

The assessment is Sector based, meaning you only have take assessment in your area of expertise.  For ICT (Information and Communication Technology) are Animation NC II, Animation (3D Digital) NC III, Animation (2D Digital) NC III, Cable TV (CATV) Installation NC II, Contact Center Services NC II (for call centers), Computer Hardware Servicing NC II (for Computer Technician), PC Operations NC II , and Programming NC IV.

The PCOp NC II (PC Operation National Certification) Qualification consists of competencies that will allow effective and efficient use of personal computers where use of word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software is required including access to email and the use of web browsers for searching and locating data and information on the Internet.  To attain the National Qualification Level II for PC Operations, the candidate must demonstrate competence in all the four Core Competencies.  Successful candidates shall be awarded a National Certificate signed by the TESDA Director General.

Anyone who is aspiring have the qualification of PC Operations NC II must acquire Certificate of Competency (COC) in all individual core units of the Qualification. The four core competencies are the following:

• Operate word-processing application
• Operate spreadsheet application
• Operate presentation package
• Operate e-mail and search web using browsers 

If the candidates have COCs for these four core competencies he/she is now illegible for the National Certificate for PC Operation Level II.

A person who has achieved this Qualification is competent to be:

• Office clerks and assistants
• Data-entry encoders and typists
• PC operators 

Click the link for the Tips in PC Operations NC II Assessment.    

E-Learning: Its Effect on Students’ Performance in Algebra

Robles, Martina H. (2008). “E-Learning: Its Effect on Students’ Performance in Algebra”.  Unpublished Thesis in Master of Arts in Teaching (Mathematics), Filamer Christian College, Roxas City, January 2008.

ABSTRACT

      This quasi-experimental method of research was conducted to determine the effect of e-Learning in students’ performance in algebra, among the 87 first year Bachelor of Science in Computer Science students of Hercor College during the first semester of the school year 2007 – 2008.  The 87 student-participant were divided into control and experimental group.  The control group was taught using the lecture method while the experimental group was taught using the e-Learning method.  More so, the study aimed to determine the level of performance of students in Algebra in both groups.  It also aimed to determine if there was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest performance of students in both groups.  Also, it aimed to determine if there is significant difference in the pretest-posttest performance of students in both groups.  The research was implemented for six weeks.  The instrument used in gathering data needed for the study was the Performance Evaluation Test in Algebra.  (more…)

ZTE-NBN Scandal (Reaction Paper)

"Anak, ang taong nagsisinungaling ay hindi tatangkad, liliit ang mga paa, uusli ang ngipin at tutuban ng nunal sa pisngi." -Jhiosdado Macapagal

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