Re: AP Students

[Larry Woolf <larry.woolf@GAT.COM>]

The survey is "Skills used in the workplace: What every physics student (and
professor) should know," G. Blake, 1995, American Institute of Physics.  It
is discussed in the APS Forum on Education, Fall 1997 issue, page 11.

Here are some of my personal thoughts on this issue (2 vugraphs from one of
my presentations):

3 types of Physics Problems/Solutions:
(1) Conceptual solution
        Pictures, words, diagrams
(2) Standard physics solution
        Use physics principles, laws, equations to solve exactly and quantitatively
a well defined problem
(3) Real Life Solution
        Problem is often ill-defined, many unknowns, too complex to solve directly,
interdisciplinary; team work required; may use commercial computer codes to
solve because of the problem’s complexity
In school, focus is on 2.
In real life, focus is on 1 and 3.

The industrial physicist:
5 % of time spent on physics problem solving
20% of time in meetings, and one-on-one discussions, traveling
30% of time writing reports, presentations, proposals -
30% of time planning what is to be done and documenting and summarizing what
has been done - e.g. using Excel spreadsheets
15% of time reading, researching

Larry Woolf




----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Burgess" <tburgess@JAGUAR1.USOUTHAL.EDU>
> We think conceptual understanding is important. We decided in (our
> high school) to offer pre AP level physics for this reason. Is it
> required to have a pre-AP conceptual course for success? We think not..
> because many students take and pass the AP in first year courses
> everywhere. Based on my experience the lessons of a conceptual course
> are more permanent than the quantitative problem solving.

An extensive survey of working scientists (and I think engineers) suggests
that they view problem solving skills as the most important aspect of their
physics education.  To be sure, they cite 'real-world' problem solving, but
one must crawl (intro courses) before they can run.  Knowledge of physics
(concepts) was WAY down the list of importance.  I think the survey was done
by the APS--anyone know the reference.

Rick

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Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
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