KUALA LUMPUR, 26th March: – A scientist from Harvard University, Professor Eric Mazur will deliver a talk at UTM Premier Lecture Series on 27th March 2012, 9.30 am at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Kuala Lumpur campus.
UTM Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Zaini Ujang said, Mazur, a Balkanski Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at Harvard University, is giving a talk entitled “Memorization or understanding: Are we teaching the right thing?”.
“He will talk on transfer of information and how students synthesize all the information delivered to them.
“Mazur will also show how shifting the focus in lectures from delivering information to synthesizing information greatly improves the learning that takes place in the classroom,” he said.
Dr Zaini said, Mazur is a well-known scientist and researcher in optical physics and has made important contributions to spectroscopy, light scattering, the interaction of ultra short laser pulses with materials, and nanophotonics.
“He is also interested in education, science policy, outreach and the public perception of science.
“Mazur has been an innovator in the pedagogy of introductory science, focusing on conceptual understanding, rigorous assessment and peer instruction,” he said.
He said, Mazur’s initiative on Peer Instruction method has been recognized worldwide and can be adopted in classroom teaching and learning across many disciplines.
“He has been part of the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching (HILT), advocating innovation in higher education, transforming students’ educational experience and instilling leadership in research, application and assessment of innovative pedagogy,” he said.
Mazur will deliver second talk on the same topic at UTM, Johor Bahru campus on 29th March 2012, 9.30 am at Senate Hall.
All are welcome.