Suggestion 192. Give exercises for problem visualization and approximation

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Give interesting and stimulating assignments

• Have students apply concepts to demonstrate understanding

• Emphasize conceptual understanding

• Develop students problem-solving skills

Giving assignments which require students to visualize problems and make approximations.

"I try to get students to see things visually," one engineering teacher says. "I try to get them to understand that there is more than one way to solve a problem."

He notes that with the advent of computers, students are inclined to take even very poor data to five decimal places. "They have little feel for approximation, little experience using a rule of thumb. Without taxing them mathematically, I give them assignments which require them to think visually and to make approximations without resort to a computer."

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  Science and Engineering
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
        Mode:  None

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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