Engaging Your Class with Fun Puzzles: Tips for Teachers

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effectiveness of using engaging puzzles versus standard problem-solving in a classroom setting. Participants explore the balance between challenging students with interesting problems and ensuring they are adequately prepared for exams, considering the diverse motivations of students.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests incorporating "interesting" problems occasionally but warns against overdoing it, emphasizing the need for students to manage their time across multiple classes.
  • Another participant argues that interested students would prefer challenging problems that enhance their problem-solving skills, while those less engaged may favor more straightforward, exam-like questions.
  • A different participant expresses concern about the enthusiasm gap in a required class, indicating that not all students may share the same interest in engaging puzzles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the balance between engaging puzzles and standard problems, with no consensus on the best approach for all students.

Dragonfall
Messages
1,023
Reaction score
5
Should I challenge my class with interesting puzzles, or drone on and crank out answers to standard problems? Any tips?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Dragonfall said:
Should I challenge my class with interesting puzzles, or drone on and crank out answers to standard problems? Any tips?

You can sprinkle "interesting" (I take it you mean Difficult) problems here and there, just not too often!. You have to consider the students need to put time to other classes as well.
 
Interested students no doubt hate the droning and would appreciate challenging problems that provide insight and interesting little problem solving tricks.

Those who are either required to take the class or are simply interested only in passing will prefer a thorough beat-down with questions similar to exam material.

Look at your audience and decide what these proportions look like an plan accordingly.
 
This is a required class, and I fear many will not share my enthusiasm.
 

Similar threads

Should I double up on math courses next school year?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
How to make progress in programming classes?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Getting Back on Track with Physics Help
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
5K
Any tips for doing a PhD in theoretical physics?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
Schools Becoming A Successful Online Learner
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Studying Starting 2 calculus classes without background in calculus
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Help on Learning Quantum Mechanics (Undergraduate)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Courses Should I withdraw from a class?
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
7K
Other My teacher gave out pratice exams?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Studying Maximizing Your Focus and Concentration: Tips for College Students
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K