Dear Janet and Jim, I totally agree. When I taught general chemistry I would begin each new unit with a short explanation of how this material was related to the previous units of the course, and why this material was important for them to know, especially whatever relevance it might have to majors other then chemistry. It didn't take long, and so there was little time taken away from the traditional material. After doing it several times the first year (and hearing little comment from the students), I omitted it one time. This caused an immediate response, with several students telling me I couldn't start the unit until I explained what this stuff was good for. From then, on it became a standard feature of my syllabus. Cordially, Harry P.S. I totally disagree with this author's opinion on cumulative exams. Harry E. Pence SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus SUNY Oneonta ________________________________ From: Teaching Breakfast List [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nepkie, Janet Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 12:38 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Good Reading - Posted to TB List by Jim Greenberg Yes, it IS a good read. IT suggests to me that we need to find better ways to help students learn by showing them the reason (other than a test grade) that we are requiring our course content. Would you agree? Thanks Janet Dr. J. Nepkie NEW EMAIL ADDRESS [log in to unmask] SUNY Distinguished Service Professor SUNY Music Department Oneonta, NY 13820 tele: 607-436-3425 fax: 607 436 2718 From: "Greenberg, Jim" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Reply-To: Teaching Breakfast List <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Date: Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:27:15 -0400 To: "[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>" <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Subject: Good Reading - Posted to TB List by Jim Greenberg TBers, A good read can be found here: http://chronicle.com/article/Stop-Telling-Students-to-Study/131622/?sid=cr&utm_source=cr&utm_medium=en Thanks to Dr. Conway for sending it to me. Mr. James B. Greenberg Director Teaching, Learning and Technology Center Milne Library SUNY College at Oneonta Oneonta, New York 13820 email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> phone: 607-436-2701 fax: 607-436-3677 Twitter: greenbjb "Ignorance is curable, stupidity lasts forever"