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REVIEWS FOR SANJOY MAHAJAN'S ORDER-OF-MAGNITUDE PHYSICS

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Where/when: MIT, January/February 2006
Title: 8.298 Selected Topics in Physics
       Lies and Damn Lies:The Art of Approximation in Science

Evaluation questions on the back of the feedback form:

Q1: Comments on teaching

Q2: Comments on subject content

Q3: What additional constructive feedback cna you offer the
    instructors which might help improve the class?

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1. It's fun to sit & listen to lectures - the time flies so quickly,
   and I learn so many random (but cool) things!  I enjoy taking an
   active role in class discussions, which are well-led.  Thank you!

2. Nicely varied; can be difficult when topic is new, but otherwise
   very helpful in bringing new insight to old topics.

3. Make the recitation in the same room so people don't skip it.

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1. A good style... less lecturing and lots of problems (though the
   subject matter makes it appropriate to teach this way).

2. Outstanding.  Must be offered next IAP if possible... This class
   really expresses the practical force of physics.

3. I'm a fan of exams... studying for them really helps me solidify
   knowledge.  Even if you don't grade it, give one.


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1. Fantastic teacher.

2. Too much content for too short a class.

3. The textbook may benefit from a 5-10 page appendix that contains
   fundamental values, constants, and equations for physics.

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1. very active & interactive

2. It motivates me to learn more!

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2. Most classes emphasize on getting exact results for problems, this
   estimation class helped me develop intuition behind the problems
   and _quick[ly]_ arrive at some interesting results.

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1. Engaging & knowledgeable.. friendly and stimulating.

2. Very interesting -- specifically because with simple tools a lot of
   features of everyday phenomena can be understood and enjoyed.

3. If all the notes are ready & available in advance it would be
   helpful.  Not much else -- great course.

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1. was thorough, clear.  Always available after/before class.

2. Interesting.  Gave a different perspective on physical laws and
   their derivation.

3. Slow down the pace!

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1. Thank you.

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1. I enjoyed how this class was taught.  The lectures were always
   interesting and informative.

2. I liked what we learned.  I can see it being very useful in
   practical application.

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1. Very enthusiastic
   Cares about subject and students
   Sensitive to our feedback
   Excellent use of class participation
   Knows stuff very well!  he can answer any question
   Board work a little disorganized + sloppy
   Notes are very good

2. I am glad Dr. Mahajan created a subject on this; it is very interesting.
   Awesome stuff... _everyone_ @ MIT should learn this

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1. Very energetic
   Quite funny

2. Good stuff to know in life

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1. Very energetic + effective teaching style
   Well-organized lectures and demos
   Well-written online book

2. Content was really interesting and engaging at first, but by the
   second half of the course, I was losing interest because many
   topics were repetitive or irrelevant to my personal interests.

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1. Very knowledgeable

2. learned more about strategies than applying them.
   learn a lot of misc. physics concepts

3. I would have liked more practice w/ feedback, possibly in pset form
   or otherwise

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1. laid back + interesting to listen to

2. really interesting, unique from other classes

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1. Professor Mahajan is an amazing presenter.  His lectures were
   consistently interesting and enlightening.  He has found a way to
   talk about all of the interesting topics in physics by uniting them
   with a common theme of approximation.  Not only does this allow for
   many different topics, but the solutions focus on _understanding_
   and not on quantitative solutions.

2. I would highly recommend this class.

3. clean up organization of book
   slow place of class
   assign problem sets

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1. very good

2. interesting & useful

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N.B. I was a Listener who dropped into the class during the last two
weeks of IAP.

1. I greatly enjoyed lectures -- I liked how the lecturer made us
   "vote" on the answers to questions he posed, then asked for class
   participation when explaining said answers.

   I liked how the lecturer had knowledge about chemistry, biology,
   and other subjects outside of physics, and drew upon this knowledge
   in class to illustrate concepts -- learning how our problem solving
   methods applied to varied aspects of life made me feel like a child
   discovering the intricacy of the natural for the first time, and I
   was thoroughly engaged.

3. As I missed the first half of the class, I would gladly take this
   class for credit if it were offered again, either during the
   semester or during IAP.

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1. He is a great lecturer.  He uses good examples and let us ask
   questions.  He is amazingly smart.

2. Everybody should be required to take this class.  The material is
   so useful and can be applied everywhere.

3. The only reason I would come back next IAP is for another class
   with him.

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