There are many challenges to being in a physics class that are similar to being in any class. Time management, workload, interest, and other factors sometimes make it challenging. Very few people end up taking physics as an elective that will have no lasting value for them. Most people are taking physics because it's believed to embed important skills that you will need regularly in your chosen academic program. This seems particularly clear for engineering and physics students. It also seems reasonable for other science students since the tools of physics show up in disciplines from molecular biology and medicine to geology. For all of those who need to acquire skills in this class it seems like a worthwhile assignment to make sure you have a solid introductory understanding of the work of Anders Ericsson who, along with many colleagues, clearly articulated a practice based model for developing skill. Malcom Gladwell referenced and reframed Ericsson's work in his book 'Outliers'. I would like you to listen to the following Freakonomics podcast (51 min) that distills a lot of this discussion in useful ways. After you have listened to the podcast please respond to the following questions and turn them in.

Here is a link to the podcast:

How is the sort of practice that Ericsson is talking about different that mere repetition? How do you feel about Gladwell's slightly more nuanced response?

Everyone is pretty good at something - whether it is snowboarding or singing or being a fabulous friend - does this discussion of practice make sense in your personal experience of developing at least modest greatness?

What were your impressions of the experiment by the Danish psychologist that opened the Stephen Dubner's discussion in the begining of the podcast? What did you expect the outcome of her experiment to be?

 

Here is Ericsson's original paper (pdf - 44 pages) that got the whole thing started if you want to read it.