Course II Description:
(Note: Course I is not prerequisite to Course II.)
Widespread physics education research has shown that a majority of students have difficulty learning essential physics concepts in the best of traditional introductory courses. These Chautauqua courses are designed for those interested in making learning in their introductory course more active either within the traditional course structure of lectures, labs, and recitation hours, or by re-structuring their course (e.g., into a workshop or studio course).
Participants in these hands-on courses will be introduced to physics education research-based strategies for each component of the introductory course: Interactive Lecture Demonstration (ILDs), Web-Based ILDs, RealTime Physics labs, Activity Based Tutorials, Collaborative Problem-Solving Tutorials and Workshop Physics, as well as modeling and video analysis tools. The tools and software used in this workshop are available for Macintosh and Windows computers. Results of studies on the effectiveness of these curricula will also be presented. Those interested in making major changes in their introductory physics programs are especially encouraged to attend.
Participants will receive current versions of the curricula, along with Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite, a comprehensive book by E.F. Redish (University of Maryland) on strategies for implementing physics education research-based curricula.
We will discuss the design of introductory physics courses adapted to the needs of institutional settings ranging from small colleges to large universities. We will also explore effective methods for evaluation of the learning of physics concepts and quantitative reasoning skills. Studies have demonstrated substantial and persistent learning by students who have used the materials presented in this course.
Course II will focus on second semester topics: electricity and magnetism, waves and optics. In addition to use of computers for data collection and analysis (using MBL tools) this course will explore more advanced mathematical modeling and more advanced video analysis.
Click HERE to see a tentative schedule of the course.
Reasonably priced dorm accommodations will be arranged for this course. Click HERE for travel and lodging information.
For more information, contact David Sokoloff.
Apply to the HAR Field Center. Click for an online APPLICATION.