Smaller classes seen as alternative to "MotherHen"

To the Editor:

Just like in schools all over the country, some at our university believe that computers are the solution to all our teaching problems. Computers are great and are changing the world, but one has to be aware of their limitations.

Computers can calculate at unbelievable speeds, but they cannot think for us. In physics and mathematics, thinking analytically is of crucial importance. Unfortunately, many school systems are not doing enough to develop this skill and memorization is emphasized over understanding.

Thus, for example, many students do not always comprehend what it means when a physics instructor tells them to "think" and "understand" the material they are taught. These two words, all too often, do not seem to connect. Just reading the material over and over without some deep thinking simply does not work in physics. You cannot solve problems by just plugging numbers into a formula, a common misconception. You must know precisely what each formula means and, quite often, have to bring together several formulasÑand conceptsÑto get the correct solution. By practicing and solving many problems properlyÑand not just searching for a formula to substitute data intoÑand thinking analytically, you can learn to do this.

"Operation Mother Hen," as it was described to us, allows students to access a site where they can see "over and over again" material that was presented in class. The ideaÑat least oneÑis that repetition will help. That may be true when you are learning a song, but physics and mathematics are not singing. I always urge students to talk to me at the end of a class or during my office hours if they have problems with the material I presented. In smaller classes of less than 50 students, I ask students to interrupt me if they have questions. After listening to a question and understanding where the difficulty lies, I usually can reformulate things in a way that will help the student. A computerÑeven the "Mother Hen" brandÑcannot do this.

Regarding the comment that Operation Mother Hen might free the student from taking notes and allow him/her to give their complete attention to the words of the instructor, that is also counterproductive. Students must learn to take notes and distill the essentials. A good teacher has to keep an eye on the class and note if students are keeping up with things, and slow down when necessary. In smaller classes, an instructor should periodically poll the class and ask if there are questions. Questions also will help slow the pace of a fast class.

Taking notes in class is extremely important, since it keeps the student focused on the material that is being presented. One of the dangers of Operation Mother Hen is that it may lead students to skip classes and treat the course as a correspondence class.

Rather than Mother Hen (Parrot)-type operations, our university should strive for smaller classes that give the instructor the opportunity for give-and-take with students. My recommendation: Do away with all the intimidating, auditorium-size classes and limit all classes to approximately 50 students.

I teach the same introductory, non-calculus, physics course to both dayÑabout 250 studentsÑand nightÑabout 40 studentsÑclasses and the results are significantly betterÑas much as 5 percent on the averageÑin the smaller class.

Just imagine how such a policy would enhance UB's image as an institution really interested in providing its students with a quality education.