Education Archives

Richard Feynman at Caltech & the Path to His Academic Home

What did Richard Feynman do before he taught at Caltech? Why was Caltech such a good fit for him? For Richard Feynman, Caltech was home—academically speaking. His career took a few turns before he settled in at Caltech. And, he grew in his understanding of what it meant—for him—to be a teacher. He tells the story in his memoir Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! Continue reading to learn a bit about Feynman’s time at Caltech and the path he took to get there.

Richard Feynman: Teaching Is Good for the Teacher & the Student

The Importance of Studying Mythology and Folklore

What teaching practice horrified Richard Feynman? What shocked him about textbooks? While Richard Feynman injected his lifelong learning with a casual sense of fun and exploration, one thing he took very seriously was his role as a teacher. In his memoir Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! he writes about his trials and triumphs in teaching. Keep reading to learn about Richard Feynman’s teaching experience and what it taught him.

Young Richard Feynman: A Toy Microscope & Trig for Fun

What was Richard Feynman’s reputation when he was young? Why did he buy broken radios? Though Richard Feynman’s recollections in his memoir may seem to bounce from topic to topic at random, they all exemplify certain key values that underlie Feynman’s idiosyncratic personality. They emerge in his childhood, developing his reputation early on. Continue reading for an exploration of the young Richard Feynman.

ChatGPT and Education: The Benefits & Dangers Explained

How can ChatGPT and education work together? What are the potential benefits or dangers of AI tools to education? When it comes to ChatGPT and education, the biggest fear of educators is that it will kill critical thinking. While some believe AI software will jeopardize the thinking and writing skills of students, others are more optimistic, arguing that ChatGPT could be used in education as a learning tool. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of ChatGPT in education, based on the educators’ perspective.

What Is a Controlling Idea? Robert McKee’s Focus on Theme

What is a controlling idea? What role does it play in a story? How many should one story have? A controlling idea, Robert McKee argues, is the glue that holds a story together. In his book Story, he explains why it’s important and how it works. He also shows writers how to connect all of the scenes of a story to the controlling idea. Continue reading to learn what McKee teaches about this important aspect of a story.

Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving: Book Overview

What are some common biases and fallacies that you should be aware of? What’s a logic tree, and how can it help you make decisions? The book Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving explains the process of critical thinking and shows how to apply critical thinking to solve problems more effectively. The book also explores how to craft logical and effective communication and stories. Continue reading for an overview of this highly practical book.

How to Evaluate Sources for Credibility: 3 Tips to Find the Truth

Do you know when an article you’re reading is sponsored by a biased advertiser? What’s the reputation of the sources you rely on? The authors of Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving provide a step-by-step method for improving your ability to think critically and solve problems. They offer tips for conducting and thinking about research and information, including determining whether a source is reliable. Read more to learn how to evaluate sources for credibility.

How to Gather Information: Finding Gems Among the Rocks

How can you figure out whether certain information is relevant to the issue at hand? How do you know if an information source is credible? The first step to critical thinking is gathering information. To do this well, first, clarify your topic or question and its parameters. Then, assess the relevance of the information you find. Check it for reliability, bias, and fallacies. Continue reading to learn how to gather information to find real answers and solutions.

How to Construct an Argument: Inductive Reasoning in 3 Steps

What’s inductive reasoning? How can it help you understand an issue and build a convincing argument? Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving explains how to apply critical thinking to solve problems more effectively. A major step in the process is forming an argument from the information you’ve gathered in order to move toward a solution—and even persuade others to adopt your way of thinking. Here’s the authors’ advice on how to construct an argument that helps everyone clearly grasp the problem and embrace a path forward.

The 4 Steps for Critical Thinking: A Process for Any Problem

Do you apply critical thinking to problems that come your way? Could you use a step-by-step process? In Critical Thinking, Logic & Problem Solving, Bigrocks Thinking explains how you can enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to improve your learning, your work, and your personal life. They share four steps for critical thinking that you can apply to any situation. Continue reading to learn about these four critical thinking steps.