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Re: On electronics



On Sept 17, Bill Beatty wrote:

"Castle" is an intentional attack on misconceptions, but it really is a
high-school electricity course. Is anyone familiar with the Castle
materials? http://nellie.pacificu.edu/ed/castle/castle.html




I'm a newbie on this list - so forgive me if I post this incorrectly - but
then again how would you know?

I'm in my 4th year of teaching high school physics (Conceptual and AP) and
in my 3rd year of using the CASTLE approach to "electricity" education.
The CASTLE materials are amazing! But they do require you to teach the
subject in "reverse" order - electric current first - statics second. So
much of the program has students developing the models and laws of
"electricity" themselves - a VERY TIMELY process - but well worth it!! I
unfortunately don't have enough time teach the whole CASTLE course, but I
find it sets kids on the right track - if they decide to pursue an
electronics field.

THIS WOULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT HIGH SCHOOL ELECTRONICS COURSE (1 Sem)!! Are
high school electronics courses even offered anymore? Sounds like a lot of
newer schools are offering "tech-prep" courses which don't the subject
justice!

I only wish I learned it this way in the beginning before I took my Upper
Division College E&M and College Electronics - Certain concepts would have
made more sense with this background!