Classroom Tips

Now that you all think I am insane for that last post... I will try to type something more coherent.

Dr. Schlipf asked our class if we thought computer use in classrooms could be related to the decreased performance which has been observed. He was right on the money with that question.

Typing notes on computers is bad because:

It doesn't involve your brain in forming the words on the paper. This removes a visual component of the learning process.
Typing does not allow you to use your own non-computer style format -- for instance, I like to write some details in the margins if they're important, or in between lines to associate facts with each other. Typing also makes it harder to underline stuff quickly.
It is easy to zone out while typing words -- not as easy to zone when writing on paper.
It is harder to study off the computer screen.

PowerPoint is worse than writing on the board because:
It is harder to track what a teacher says along with the words on the screen.
They sometimes put way too many slides in their presentations.
They place too many lines on a slide.

That said, PowerPoint is easier to study off than a page of dense text, and it is better to have access to PowerPoints than to not have access to notes.

Surprisingly, Dr. Schlipf's own method of talking us through the notes (which he provides us) works quite well -- better, for me, than PowerPoint (except for the lack of pictures).

Proposed good teaching styles:
Write the notes on the board. (Best)
Provide students with notes and lecture without PowerPoint or writing on the board.
Do the same as directly above, and supplement with a slideshow of pictures.
***
On a different note... running is a strange thing. The first 0.1 or 0.2 miles are fine. My shins are sore from 0.2 to 2+ miles and running isn't much fun. Around 2 miles the soreness decreases and by 3 miles there is very little pain. Indeed, my legs are somewhat without feeling by then. This phenomenon probably means that I should stretch 20 minutes before running.