ffirs.indd

224 Appendix H
doesn’t suit the way you think or make sense to you, you are inclined
to think it is “all above my head.” I am not smart enough.
You would be wrong. You need a diff erent explanation. If you are
trying to learn something from a book, try several. If your assigned
textbook does the job, that’s great. If you can’t understand something,
don’t think you are not smart enough; try another book with a
diff erent explanation. Find a friend who understands it and ask your
friend to explain it to you. Look for other books in second-hand
bookshops, ask older students for their old books, or go to your
library and ask for books on the subject. Often, a library book is
easier to understand because it is not written as a textbook.
When I teach mathematics and related subjects, I always read
the explanation given in several books so that I can fi nd ideas for
diff erent ways to teach it in the classroom. Also, when I am teaching
a procedure in math, physics or electronics, I do all calculations
aloud, with all of my thinking out loud so everyone understands
not only what I am doing, but also how I am doing it. I ask my
students to do the same so we can follow what is going on inside
their heads.
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