Where Magic Meets Physics (and the Periodic Table Benefits!) - Maria Goeppert Mayer's Story
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- čas přidán 10. 07. 2024
- Professor Davis details the story of Maria Goeppert-Mayer and nuclear "Magic Numbers". Her observation of these numbers let to the development of the nuclear shell model, which helps to understand the stability of the elements we know about, and also to predict how to make those we don't!
Image attributions:
Nobel Medal:
Adam Baker, CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
I'm watching your "Understanding the Periodic Table" lecture series from The Great Courses and I am really enjoying it so far. I'm a research scientist but admittedly I felt I needed to take several refresher courses and I was so glad to have found your TGC course along with a few other professors' courses.
In my opinion, video lectures are a superior format because students can pause, rewind, and replay the lectures whenever they want. Questions in class may be encouraged but the reality is professors and students are working with very rigid time constraints, whereas using a combination of video lectures plus a PDF that contains the relevant course material gives rise to a far more effective, flexible learning experience. This way students can study ahead if they want to, and students who may have missed a lecture or two can simply watch the video lectures when they have time. For students with an especially stressful schedule (i.e. working while in school, have kids, pets, etc), I think this model results in a far less anxiety inducing educational experience.
I also think from an accessibility point of view, video lectures are a much better alternative than having scheduled lectures at a specific time and location. Adding subtitles to lecture videos would be a massive benefit not just for those who are hard of hearing, but also those who just tend to absorb information easier if there are subtitles accompanying educational material. The cost of living these days is extremely high, and it would save students a small fortune to not have to spend money each month on gas/transportation expenses.
Most online learning (i.e. live Zoom classes) are a sloppy mess, whereas The Great Courses' format is clearly designed for remote learning and therefore is very well-thought out instead of haphazardly put together. This sort of course format would also make it far easier/consistent for professors like you to coordinate with your TAs/GAs for things like labs, quizzes, tests, exams, etc. because the course materials would be designed specifically for a digital environment.
Anyway, I had to make this comment! I wouldn't say I had bad professors in university but I would say the conventional format of a university education is only beneficial for a very specific type of person. Anyone with social anxiety, financial issues, and/or accessibility issues, is far more likely to have a much harder time at college/university because the educational content is structured in a "one size fits all" sort of way, whereas the way in which The Great Courses structures their courses (i.e. your Understanding the Periodic Table course) is a far better alternative.
With all that being said, thank you for your educational content-- it is very much appreciated. You are an excellent teacher and the way in which you explain concepts/examples along with useful visual demonstrations really gives me the impression that you truly care about educating your students.
I'm inclined to agree with you. I did my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry back in the early seventies and have watched Prof. Davis' Great Courses Lecture in chemistry (and many other subjects by other professors). I dearly wished that such a means of lecturing was available in my day. Although I respect my lecturers at the time, the availability of information through the internet AND the availability of lectures like the Great Courses are truly excellent means of learning. Many of the concepts that I had difficulty getting a proper understanding at that time are now far more understandable.
come back prof davis ):
hopefully soon! Spring semester is winding down and I'll be making more videos as time permits. Gotta make sure I keep my day-job first, though! ;-)
Are you really a professor or is that just a sobriquet?
gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/00336000014RaSqAAK/ronald-davis?searchType=Contact-Info&searchText=ronald%20davis
Does that answer your question? 😉
I have a PhD in Biophysical Chemistry from Penn State and have been on the GU faculty for 15 years. When I'm not busy making pre-med students cry, among my passions are sharing chemistry with non-traditional learners through CZcams and media companies like The Great Courses and Wondrium. See my latest project with them below!
www.wondrium.com/understanding-the-periodic-table
Can confirm, very cool prof
@@ChemSurvival Yes, congratulations also as you join the youtubers with integrity club. Many don't understand the weight of actual achievement and just lay claim to it. Thank you for your substance.