Teaching in The Third Dimension

Abstract

Entomology, or any scientific discipline, too often is taught in a linear, one-dimensional, and horizontal fashion. That is, the material is confined to the narrow boundaries of pure entomology. This approach can be expanded into two dimensions if the liberal-arts philosophy of interfusing information across disciplinary boundaries is adopted. By incorporating the sciences on which entomology is built, as well as those that incorporate entomology as a building block, student comprehension is enhanced and scientific peripheral vision is expanded. What elements are required to add the third dimension, depth, to the teaching equation? Perhaps they are the professor's commitment, enthusiasm, excitement, and love of the subject matter. Such qualities can light a fire under some less-motivated students. Still, there is another elusive quality that can be a valuable tool. Teachers assault the students' sense of hearing with oratory and their sense of vision with slides, overheads, and chalkboards. I believe we are overlooking a sense that I have found to be an extremely effective teaching aid: the sense of humor