Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Intellectual Itch
The Feynman Problem Solving Algorithm:Richard Feyman was a brilliant human being who happened to be one of the greatest physicists ever. Follow the above link to see how he participated in the study of the Shuttle Challenger Disaster. One of my co-workers, Jeff (not to be confused with my brother, Jeff), has decided to go back to school. Not a big deal until you learn he hasn't been in school in over 20 years. Somehow he wound up getting stuck in college algebra as his first class. He's also taking it as an online course, and anyone who's attempted an online course knows, that's an extra level of difficulty. Most online classes are "teach yourself" courses. I first got involved in the situation when Jeff was planning to purchase a computer program to help solve algebra problems so he could pass the class. The problem was, he didn't have enough of a grasp on algebra to even understand if the software is what he needed. As Jeff asked around the office, someone pointed out that, in addition to my Computer Science degree, I also have a Math major. I looked over the software and declared it would work for what he wanted, but expressed my concern that he wouldn't actually learn college algebra, but instead would be learning how to use software that solves algebra problems. There's a big difference. Jeff has repeatedly stated that once he's done with this algebra class, he'll "never touch algebra again." A sad, and likely untrue statement, but so be it. Since the semester started, I have been called in for emergency lunch time tutoring sessions prior to tests. Ages ago, in college, I tutored in math on occasion. Of course we all know I have been teaching "sheet metal math" for the past few months. But this was something entirely new. True college algebra. Solving quadratic formulas. Binomials and trinomials. And just recently, conic sections. I hadn't touched this stuff in over 10 years, and I had to do a little refresher to get up to speed before helping Jeff. But as always happens when I start to read and do research on math or computers, I got the itch. I love school. That's part of why I am a teacher. I love to share ideas and explain things. But even more than that, I love to learn new stuff and explore ideas. I love the whole learning process. I firmly belive the following two statements are true:
Once I get that itch, the need to break new ground intellectually, I start to think about retuning to college. I have a masters degree. I want a PhD. Not for fame, glory, or a bigger paycheck. None of those have ever been motivating factors in my life. I want a PhD because, quite simply, it's there. I enjoy challenges like that. I enjoy the pure learning and research involved. Why have I not gotten a PhD yet? For starters there are no PhD programs in my field anywhere near me. I would have to move to Atlanta, or Athens, GA, or out of state. What about those online degrees, you ask? Well in the biggest irony in my field, there are no (purely) online Computer Science Degrees in the US. There are 100% online CS degrees but they are not from accredited schools. In the education field, a degree from a non-accredited institution might as well have come out of a Crackerjack Box. Bottom line is, I cannot get a PhD in computer science in Macon, GA. Feeling a bit like a caged animal, I have found myself re-reading my thesis research looking for new angles or improvements. I toy with the algrebra problems that Jeff brings me (today was conic sections: parabolas, circles, ellipses, and hyperbolas) and playing with those calculations. One of the beautiful things about mathematics is even when you are stuck somewhere phyiscally, you always free to roam whereever you like in your mind. Your only limitation is your imagination.  |
Labels: Macon
