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Janos Simon, Professor in Computer Science and the Physical Sciences Collegiate Division

chronicle.uchicago.edu · 596 words · saved by 1 readers

As an undergraduate in Brazil, Janos Simon took a calculus course from Abrahão de Morais, a distinguished but very busy astronomer brought in as a last-minute substitute. Lacking the normal preparation time, he often had to work out some of the proofs on the spot when teaching. “As it turned out, this became an extremely positive teaching method,” Simon said. “One could see how a great mind solves mathematical problems.” When teaching his undergraduate classes, Simon has sought to replicate this atmosphere of mathematical discovery in an organized fashion. The idea is to demonstrate the scientific process, not deliver a foregone result. “You don’t want students to go to class and become good note-takers,” said Simon, Professor in Computer Science and the Physical Sciences Collegiate Division. “You want them to become good thinkers and have them realize that this kind of thinking is really a lot of fun.” Simon elaborated on his approach to undergraduate instruction during a recent inter

Photo by Beth Rooney Janos Simon As an undergraduate in Brazil, Janos Simon took a calculus course from Abrahão de Morais, a distinguished but very busy astronomer brought in as a last-minute substitute. Lacking the normal preparation time, he often had to work out some of the proofs on the spot when teaching. “As it turned out, this became an extremely positive teaching method,” Simon said. “One could see how a great mind solves mathematical problems.” When teaching his undergraduate classes, Simon has sought to replicate this atmosphere of mathematical discovery in an organized fashion.…

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