Read: “Shaler and Agassiz” (pp.

32-34 in the course pack)

1. Answer the question at the end of the selection.

2. What links can you make between Shaler’s experience and the new “discourse” that he
learned? In other words, how did he achieve “literacy” in his chosen subject, and
what might the WAY he learned it add to our discussion of teaching and learning?

1103-021; HWJ #14 (Joshua Greene)

1.
 Shaler had learned how to be independent and how to spot differences and similarities within
random specimen.
 This can be seen in the 3rd paragraph when he says, “I had learned the art of comparing objects,
which is the basis of the naturalist’s work.”
 I immediately went to the 3rd paragraph because it seemed he was more knowledgeable of this
new discourse by that time.
 His learning consists of studying without instruction and to find the similarities between
specimen.
2.
 He had learned literacy by trial and error and self inquiry. He had someone to guide him when
he made mistakes, but there was no one telling him he was going the right track.
 This shows that you don’t always have to be taught by examples, but you can be taught by
mistakes and trial by error.