Pedagogy of the impressed

Christian Century, Jan 27, 2004

PEDAGOGY OF THE IMPRESSED: Thomas Goodwin, professor of chemistry at Hendrix College in Arkansas, one of four U.S. Professors of the Year, is particularly noted for engaging undergraduates in hands-on research. He takes students to an elephant habitat to research how elephants communicate through biochemical analysis.

Goodwin admits he doesn't have a very developed philosophy of teaching, but he describes what he does in graphic terms: "I think of myself like I'm up in a helicopter and I'm flying over my students, who are wading through a swamp. I have a bullhorn and I'm saying, 'Don't go that way, there's an alligator over there! Watch out!'" (Chronicle of Higher Education, December 12).