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On 7/8/2015 10:21 PM, Ed Popko wrote:
> Sure wish I knew how to overcome this speed bump in class.  I would be
> interested in NavList member experiences and comments.

No grading on a curve, no pass/fail. The state boater education courses
I have co taught with the DNR don't grade on a curve. Sounds like your
students are old enough to remember education before gradeflation. I
understand the whole program is an "elective" and you don't want to push
them away, but on the other hand it's a two way street. If they want to
pass the course the student is required to work outside their comfort
level (learn) and shrink their sphere of ignorance just a wee bit before
they are handed a certificate to hand in their den. (A "C" or "Pass"
when they should have gotten an "F" or "Fail" in any of the classes
won't keep or get them out of trouble on the water.)

A side thought: I don't know your course syllabus, but I wonder if any
of them can can convert degrees, minutes and seconds into decimal
degrees or vice versa long hand. Can they add or subtract degrees,
minute and seconds longhand. Or hours, minutes and seconds? If not,
that's a red flag. In sure ain't the calculator's fault they can't grasp
simple sexigasimal math when they can tell time!

An add on: A high-rise building has a first-floor facade at human scale
so folks have a leaping off point to relate to the rest of it. Instead
of starting off with a degrees/minutes/seconds you might start off long
hand with a partially base-60 system they use everyday--time. Work up to
DMS then DD.

Have a remedial class to to teach the use of one brand/model of
calculator. IMHO the included instructions on many are either Chinglish
or don't begin to scratch the surface. I'll all but guarantee they'll
soon come to regard their TI or Casio as a best friend after doing it
long hand.


Trouble with a $20 hand-held calculator? Have them get their grand kid
to put down their iPad for a few minutes and tutor them!

   

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