Priscilla
Laws is Research Professor of
Physics at Dickinson College where she and her colleagues
have developed a workshop method for teaching physics
without lectures. Students in Workshop Physics
courses use several related computer applications including
spreadsheets linked dynamically to graphs for modeling,
microcomputer interfacing for real-time data collection, and
video analysis software. She is also co-author of
Explorations in Physics and Understanding
Physics. Workshop Physics, Explorations in
Physics and Understanding Physics are published
by John Wiley and Sons. David
Sokoloff
is Professor of
Physics at the University of Oregon where he integrates
classroom testing on research-based curricula with the
assessment of conceptual learning in introductory courses
with large enrollments. He is the principal author (along
with Ronald Thornton and Priscilla Laws) of RealTime
Physics--computer-supported active learning laboratories
for use in traditional university settings. He is also
co-developer (along with Ronald Thornton) of Interactive
Lecture Demonstrations (ILDs) which are used to
create an active learning environment in lecture classes.
RealTime Physics and Interactive Lecture
Demonstrations in Introductory Physics are published by
John Wiley and Sons. Ronald
Thornton
is Director of the Center for Science
and Mathematics Teaching of the Physics and Education
Departments at Tufts University where he directs the
development of software for microcomputer-based laboratory
(MBL) tools for real-time collection and analysis of data,
for modeling and for vector visualization, and curricula
designed to be used with these. The center conducts research
on student learning in physics. The MBL software has won
awards from EDUCOM, Computers in Physics, and the Dana
Foundation. He is currently working (with David Sokoloff) on
web-based delivery of Interactive Lecture
Demonstrations, and the development of ILDs in
other science disciplines.
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