25 July 2005

I like helping students make good graphs by hand. Sure, they can do it with Excel or some other computer program, but it's best to have the basic skills of using graph paper, so their computer graphs make more sense. Same thing with chemistry lab techniques. Many of the functions we teach in the introductory courses are done by machines and instrumentation these days, but if they can actually work a pipette or burette, fold and use filter paper, use a simple centrifuge or analytical balance, they'll be more useful, innovative, and imaginative when they leave our school. At least that's the hope.

DWL