Into the Impossible With Brian Keating

This New Method of Teaching Physics Changes EVERYTHING! w/ Eric Mazur [Ep. 428]

Jun 16, 2024

Eric Mazur, a pioneer in physics education, discusses peer instruction, challenges traditional lectures, embraces technology in classrooms, advocates for hiring good teachers, questions grading systems, and rethinks academia's tenure and compulsory subjects.

49:45

Episode guests

Eric Mazur

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Quick takeaways

Eric Mazur promotes peer instruction for active learning and deeper understanding.

The podcast discusses the impact of technology on traditional education and the need for adaptation.

Deep dives

Revolutionizing Education Through Peer Instruction

Eric Mazur's innovative approach to education challenges the traditional lecture-based learning by emphasizing the power of peer instruction. By shifting the focus from information transfer to making sense of concepts, Mazur discovered the limitations of lectures through testing his students' understanding. Peer instruction involves students committing to an answer, discussing with peers, and revising their understanding, promoting active engagement and deeper learning.

Intro

5min

Transforming Education Through Active Learning and Technology Integration

24min

Rethinking the Hiring Process and Teaching Priorities in Universities

4min

Rethinking Teaching and Grading in Academia

10min

Teaching Skills Over Content in a Hypothetical University

3min

Exploring Achievements in Physics and Education with Eric Mazur

3min

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Imagine walking into a classroom where the students are the ones driving the discussion. Where curiosity and collaboration have replaced rote memorization. A place where traditional education has been turned on its head, and the power of learning is placed directly in the hands of those who seek it.

It's almost hard to imagine such a classroom after having studied in our current education system, right? But today’s guest on Into the Impossible has turned this unlikely fantasy into a reality by developing an active learning system that engages students rather than just lecturing them.

Meet Eric Mazur, physicist, educator, and mastermind behind peer instruction. Eric is a professor of physics and applied physics at Harvard University, and today, he’s here to discuss the past, present, and future of our education system.

Tune in!

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Intro
01:02 What is peer instruction?
10:54 Are professors necessary in the classroom?
17:37 Are lectures an effective way to teach?
23:39 Using technology in the classroom
28:11 Hiring good teachers and professors
31:41 The problem with grading
36:56 Tenure system in academia
41:36 Which subjects would Eric make compulsory
44:41 Outro

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➡️ Connect with Eric Mazur:

💻 Website: http://ericmazur.com/

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/eric_mazur/

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✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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