Smaller Physics Classes May Provide Stimulius
I would like to make the following observations regarding undergraduate physics classes at MIT. First, I failed 8.01 first term freshman year. It was a LARGE lecture. Second, I aced 8.01 second term, in the small lecture. Third, I failed 8.02 second term the next year. It was a LARGE lecture. Finally, I passed 8.02 this fall. It was a small lecture.
First off, let the record state that I am not a good physics student. But the point I'd like to make is that it seemed like a much easier class with the smaller lectures, particularly since I felt more inclined to go to them. True, it could be that the only difference in passing was the fact that I was repeating each class, but considering how rarely I went the first times I don't believe I carried over any knowledge into the second attempt -- there was no knowledge. Just my observations.
Miles T. Kafka '95
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