... [R]eally what counts is not what you cover, but what counts is what you uncover.
This bit of teaching philosophy comes from MIT professor Walter Lewin, in this profile [via Selva]. His physics lectures -- with videos! -- are the main reason for his almost cult-like fan following [you can find the links here].
Prof. Lewin was also the subject of a NYTimes profile sometime ago.
* * *
I know the context is different, but that quote from Lewin reminded me of this quote attributed to Prof. C.N.R. Rao:
While in Europe they dress for dinner, we in India undress.
1 Comments:
Just for the record, regarding Walter Lewin's teaching philosophy, I personally heard this statement from Prof Virendra Singh, ex Director of TIFR in a Panchgani meeting in 1987. It's possible he could be quoting Lewin though it's unlikely in those days before the internet and the web. He was reacting to the chairman of a session objecting to the large number of questions a lecturer was being subjected to, thereby not allowing the lecturer to 'cover' the full material. Virenra Singh pointed out that the purpose of a lecture was not to cover but to uncover.
Post a Comment