Spring Break
Unorthodox teaching methods earn professor annual award
ELYSE BEASLEY
Issue date: 3/20/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Did you know some species of monkeys chalk their hands before cracking open their food?
Or what the noise a hyena makes at nighttime in Kenya sounds like?
Or - strangest of all - what it takes to engage the attention of 30 high school freshmen in a science lesson?
The answers are just a few of the lessons Norman Thomson, associate professor of science education at the University, is committed to teaching science teachers.
Thomson's scientific studies and teaching skills earned him the 2007 College Science Teacher of the Year Award by the Georgia Science Teachers Association last month.
The award recognized his "ongoing excellence in the teaching of science and his commitment to its improvement."
"I love science - I just love the material. I can't stop talking about it," Thomson said.
According to his students, Thomson's unconventional methods of teaching set him apart from other science professors.
He aided the development of a 3D computer program in which students can manipulate the joints of gorillas and play back a sequence of movements in the form of an original movie.
He also often travels to local high schools as a guest speaker, bringing fossils, puzzles and games, and various modules as visual aids for his presentations. He emphasizes the use of these hands-on aids rather than reading from textbooks and taking tests on the subjects.
Carol Potter, a doctoral advisee under Thomson, said Thomson is an outstanding professor for his emphasis on truly learning the material he presents.
"In the course I took from him, we hardly ever had any projects or work. What he did was to take us somewhere or have speakers for us to listen to," Potter said.
"His focus was helping us be better teachers rather than getting us to do work. It was all about improving ourselves as teachers."
Seri Chapman, also a doctoral student under Thomson, said she thought Thomson deserved his award because of the constant support he offers her.
"He's always sharing his ideas and his time while encouraging his students," said Chapman.
Samantha Arsenault, who identified Thomson as her adviser and mentor, said she admired Thomson for his ability to push his students out of their comfort zones and also his commitment to science education.
"He inspires good teaching by the way he communicates his ideas. He uses open ended questions to force (the students) to think critically," Arsenault said.
"He's a college professor, yet he drove all the way to Norcross today to teach a lesson to my high school freshmen. He didn't have to do that. His passion really rubs off in that way," she said.
All of his doctoral students agreed that his passion was another major characteristic that sets Thomson apart from other teachers.
"It's infectious. We can really feel both his passion and his knowledge (when he teaches), and the combination of the two are really powerful," Potter said.
Or what the noise a hyena makes at nighttime in Kenya sounds like?
Or - strangest of all - what it takes to engage the attention of 30 high school freshmen in a science lesson?
The answers are just a few of the lessons Norman Thomson, associate professor of science education at the University, is committed to teaching science teachers.
Thomson's scientific studies and teaching skills earned him the 2007 College Science Teacher of the Year Award by the Georgia Science Teachers Association last month.
The award recognized his "ongoing excellence in the teaching of science and his commitment to its improvement."
"I love science - I just love the material. I can't stop talking about it," Thomson said.
According to his students, Thomson's unconventional methods of teaching set him apart from other science professors.
He aided the development of a 3D computer program in which students can manipulate the joints of gorillas and play back a sequence of movements in the form of an original movie.
He also often travels to local high schools as a guest speaker, bringing fossils, puzzles and games, and various modules as visual aids for his presentations. He emphasizes the use of these hands-on aids rather than reading from textbooks and taking tests on the subjects.
Carol Potter, a doctoral advisee under Thomson, said Thomson is an outstanding professor for his emphasis on truly learning the material he presents.
"In the course I took from him, we hardly ever had any projects or work. What he did was to take us somewhere or have speakers for us to listen to," Potter said.
"His focus was helping us be better teachers rather than getting us to do work. It was all about improving ourselves as teachers."
Seri Chapman, also a doctoral student under Thomson, said she thought Thomson deserved his award because of the constant support he offers her.
"He's always sharing his ideas and his time while encouraging his students," said Chapman.
Samantha Arsenault, who identified Thomson as her adviser and mentor, said she admired Thomson for his ability to push his students out of their comfort zones and also his commitment to science education.
"He inspires good teaching by the way he communicates his ideas. He uses open ended questions to force (the students) to think critically," Arsenault said.
"He's a college professor, yet he drove all the way to Norcross today to teach a lesson to my high school freshmen. He didn't have to do that. His passion really rubs off in that way," she said.
All of his doctoral students agreed that his passion was another major characteristic that sets Thomson apart from other teachers.
"It's infectious. We can really feel both his passion and his knowledge (when he teaches), and the combination of the two are really powerful," Potter said.
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