Re: no lab facilities

[Allen Shotwell <rshotwel@IVY.TEC.IN.US>]

Here's AAPT's spin on labs
From: Goals of the Introductory Physics Laboratory, American Association of
Physics Teachers, The Physics Teacher, Volume 35/Number 9, December
1997.[shortened and somewhat paraphrased].


Labs are for...
I. The Art of Experimentation - The introductory laboratory should engage
each student in significant experiences with experimental processes,
including some experience in designing investigation.
II. Experimental and Analytical Skills - The laboratory should help the
student develop a broad array of basic skills and tools of experimental
physics and data analysis.
III. Conceptual Learning - The laboratory should help students master basic
physics concepts.
IV. Understanding the Basis of Knowledge in Physics - The laboratory should
help students understand the role of direct observation in physics and
distinguish between inferences based on theory and the outcomes of
experiments.
V. Developing Collaborative Learning Skills - The laboratory should help
students develop collaborative learning skills that are vital to success in
many lifelong endeavors

[My] Intuition is that this doesn't line up well with pure simulations such
as Interactive Physics and would require something "hands-on". However, my
intuition is quite flawed at times so I need to think about it some before
I weigh in on the debate.







At 09:44 AM 1/21/00 -0500, you wrote:
> If "distance learning" methods of teaching replace real
> laboratory encounters then activities described by Bob (see
> below) will become standard practice. Will this be less or
> more useful then real labs? What are physics labs for? How
> effective are they in teaching? What are simulations for?
> How effective are they in practice? What are lectures for?
> How effective are they? What are textbooks for? What are
> teachers for?
>
> Somehow nobody is debating these issues while the
> "Internet highways" are being built and promoted. The
> prevailing idea is that computer technology is good for
> learning in all areas. That is why many schools (even
> technical colleges) spend the equipment $ on computers
> rather than on other learning tools. Where can I find the
> official AAPT policy on distabce learning, or on computer
> simulations?
>                           Ludwik Kowalski
>
> "Morse, Robert" wrote:
>
> > Suggest you might consider doing at least some real labs-
> >
> > String and Sticky tape Experiments by Ron Edge  available
> > from AAPT includes lots of almost no cost labs
> >
> > Teaching About Electrostatics by Robert Morse available
> > from AAPT includes similar activities for electrostatics.
> >
> > There are several demonstration books that detail very
> > low cost  demos done on an overhead projector.
Allen Shotwell
Chair, Science and Math
Ivy Tech State College
Terre Haute, IN  USA
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too
dark to read." - Groucho Marx