Maths proffies at our place are probably third (after business and nursing) in terms of room-blocking (see post below) but they are DEFINITELY top in using permanent markers on the white board [the only other person who's done that in a classroom I needed was a Russian proffie]. And the digital image projector. And the slide projection screen and wall for those who get confused about where the white board is or how to roll up the screen. It's as if 'can't pick up correct pen and write on correct surface' were a selection criterion for that department.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
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Maths proffies at our place are probably third (after business and nursing) in terms of room-blocking (see post below) but they are DEFINITELY top in using permanent markers on the white board [the only other person who's done that in a classroom I needed was a Russian proffie]. And the digital image projector. And the slide projection screen and wall for those who get confused about where the white board is or how to roll up the screen. It's as if 'can't pick up correct pen and write on correct surface' were a selection criterion for that department.
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But, you see, all markers are isomorphic, all flat, white, vertically oriented surfaces are isomorphic, and the relation between these two classes is an invariant.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I just go to our secretary and ask for some markers; I trust she is giving me the right thing. And most of us hate white boards with a passion. When our building (yes, we have one just to ourselves) was remodeled a few years ago, we insisted the classrooms in one of the floors should have old-school chalkboards, and we got them.
DeleteWe requested those too, but aren't allowed them because of the 'health and safety risks' associated with professors 'regularly inhaling chalk dust'.
DeleteSigh.
Several buildings here have been recently re-done, and the math one was redone with brand-new chalkboards. And only the math one.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, the most recent math faculty member I have interacted with is using some spiffy pen that lets her write notes on paper while recording voice explanation and the students can replay just the words being written and the voice. She finds it very effective.
I worry about a pen that is smarter than the students.
It wouldn't take much intelligence for that to happen.
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