Learning Something New

I have an independent study student this semester who is researching the relationship between physics, math, and music. He has been uncovering some interesting patterns as well as some intriguing historical perspectives. For a summary of that research, check out his blog.

One of the things that is enjoyable about this process is how much I've been learning about music, which is a huge deficit for me in terms of understanding. I have a general appreciation for music but really no intuition or talent for the production of music. My student has been patiently trying to catch me up on the foundations of music theory.

Most recently he showed me a video which demonstrates the use of a series of cords in 36 contemporary songs. I've included the video in this post.

This type of collaboration in our learning is very productive. We plan to showcase his research to our gifted teacher as well as some other key players to expose the potential for a shift in instructional methods.

4Chords... 36 Songs [WARNING: Contains Explicit Lyrics/Language]

Watch more BREAK.COM videos on AOL Video

Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills : January 2009 : THE Journal

Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills : January 2009 : THE Journal

Referring to a survey of 50 corporations, organizations, and small businesses, "the top three things employers are looking for in new recruits are:

Creative problem solving;
Critical and analytical thinking skills; and
Information gathering and evaluation."

After reading those top three things... seems like corporations, organizations and businesses want everyone to be physicists. =)

Toxic Grading Practices

Students Benefit From Depth, Rather Than Breadth, In High School Science Courses

Students Benefit From Depth, Rather Than Breadth, In High School Science Courses

For years I wondered about my approach to Physics... only getting through mechanics during our block-schedule semester. But this helps support my approach, as does recent feedback from some former students. My only hope would be that more students took a second year of Physics :)