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From: firth@sei.cmu.edu (Robert Firth)
Newsgroups: comp.edu,sci.math,sci.physics
Subject: Re: Student preparedness
Message-ID: <8125@aw.sei.cmu.edu>
Date: 6 Jan 89 17:27:06 GMT
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In article <541@mccc.UUCP> pjh@mccc.UUCP (Pete Holsberg) writes:

>A fairly popular scheme based on handing out lecture notes is called
>"partial notes".  The instructor prepares lecture notes as usual but
>then deletes about 50% of what's there, leaving empty space.  This permits the
>student to take some notes but not all, and encourages preparation so
>that the student will know what's in the notes.  Pretty useful in a wide
>variety of courses.

Maybe I'm totally confused, but I cannot see any good purpose to this
at all.  Having prepared lecture notes, why not hand them out?  If 50%
notes will help the student, surely 100% will help more, and why ever
would a teacher NOT want to help the pupils?

Likewise, if the student feels attending the lecture will help, she'll
attend.  If just reading the notes is as good, why force her to waste
time in the lecture - students typically are VERY pressed for time.
Moreover, by giving out as much prepared information as possible, you
encourage the students selectively to come to you only when they NEED
direct personal help, either in a lecture or tutorial - and that is
surely one of the things a teacher should encourage, teachers also
typically being pressed for time.