As mentioned a while back, I’m experimenting with “active learning” techniques in my intro courses this term. Specifically, I’m doing a variant of the “Peer Instruction” method developed by Eric Mazur and others. There are a few complications imposed by our calendar/ class schedule, but I’m giving it a shot, and I thought I’d report… Continue reading Active Learning Experiment: The First 1.6 Weeks
Author: Chad Orzel
Cute Toddler Story
Those of you who follow me on Twitter/ Facebook have been getting the occasional snippet of cute dialogue from SteelyKid over there. This one’s a little too long for breaking into 140-character blocks, so while I wait for her to come downstairs so we can make pancakes, a cute SteelyKid story: We play a surprising… Continue reading Cute Toddler Story
Thursday Sand Picture Blogging 091511
The current quasi-hiatus has the goal of preserving my sanity through reducing stress. Somewhat surprisingly, Thursday Toddler Blogging has actually been fairly stressful lately, because SteelyKid is mostly in a “no pictures” phase, which makes getting a usable shot of her a huge hassle. Which is why there was no toddler blogging photo last week.… Continue reading Thursday Sand Picture Blogging 091511
Statistical Significance Is an Arbitrary Convention
In typical fashion, no sooner do I declare a quasi-hiatus than somebody writes an article that I want to say something about. For weeks, coming up with blog posts was like pulling teeth, but now I’m not trying to do it, it’s easy… anyway, that’s why there’s the “quasi-” in “quasi-hiatus,” and having been reasonably… Continue reading Statistical Significance Is an Arbitrary Convention
September 11, 2011
This Week’s Reading in the Church of the Larger Hilbert Space
1 And the LORD looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 2 And the LORD said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with… Continue reading This Week’s Reading in the Church of the Larger Hilbert Space
Quantum Computing with Microwaves
It’s been a while since I did any ResearchBlogging, first because I was trying to get some papers of my own written, and then because I was frantically preparing for my classes this term (which start Wednesday). I’ve piled up a number of articles worth writing up in that time, including two papers from an… Continue reading Quantum Computing with Microwaves
Another Year, Another Quasi-Hiatus
Classes for the 2011-2012 academic year start tomorrow, which means that blogging will come to a nearly complete stop. I have an exceptionally heavy teaching load this term (deliberately, because I’m developing a new course in the winter term, and FutureSibling! is due in November), and it’s become clear that there are not enough hours… Continue reading Another Year, Another Quasi-Hiatus
Links for 2011-09-06
STAR WARS : The Solo Adventures (HD) – YouTube There’s a little Uncanny Valley thing going on with the characters, but this is still better than anything Lucas has put out in about twenty years. I’d definitely watch more of this. The Chicago Blog: Playing poker with Parker: An interview with Brian Garfield "Donald E.… Continue reading Links for 2011-09-06
Links for 2011-09-05
Lance Mannion: Do video game avatars dream of digital sheep? or How Pac-Man can help prepare you to save the world "From the Ghostbusters quote that opens the first chapter onward, hardly a page gets turned that doesn’t include at least one 80s-themed Easter Egg. Cline takes some of the fun out of this by… Continue reading Links for 2011-09-05