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Re: [Phys-l] Video Encyclopedia of Physics Demos

We have both the Laser Disk and DVD versions and use them heavily. At a
small school like ours, we do not have a lab manager to construct and set up
demonstrations. Our classrooms are very modern but are used by many
departments. Demonstration equipment cannot be set up ahead of time and must
be taken down before the next class comes in. The Video Encyclopedia has
become our main source of demonstrations.

I prefer the laser disks because the individual tracks can be accessed
immediately with a remote control. I can just press a selector button and
switch from my Turning Point interactive Power Point presentation right to
the demo and quickly back again. The vendor used to give away a free laser
disc player with the purchase of the series - don't know if they still do.

The DVD is very klutzy. It requires sitting through a lengthy introduction
about the Video Encyclopedia itself before running a demo. There is no way
around this. Trying to get to the next demo that you want to use is very
convoluted and doesn't always work so you have to start over and replay the
introduction. I have found a way to "hack" the video and embed the
individual demos into my Power Point. I know it's not legal and the company
that bought the rights to sell the DVD version was not pleased when I told
them how I did it, but I feel that once I bought the product I own it and
can use it in a manner most convenient for me. I would certainly not
encourage others to do the same. I really think the people who produce the
DVD should make it more user friendly - the unwieldy interface has to be
hurting sales.

Bob at PC

-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Calvin Kalman
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 9:03 AM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] Video Encyclopedia of Physics Demos

A question from a new physics teacher....

Does anyone have any thoughts (good, bad, neutral) regarding the multi-
DVD
set called "The Video Encyclopedia of Physics Demos" ? The website says
that the entire series will cost $3,000.

I have also seen bits of the Paul Hewitt lectures that can be
purchased. It looks like Hewitt's would be cheaper, but perhaps not as
exhaustive as the demos contained in the Encyclopedia series.

My goal is to see these different demos, construct the equipment, and
then
perform the demos in the classroom.

I don't know if our school would purchase these, but it would be great to
know if one set is better.

Thanks in Advance,

Jeff Bracken


I have been using these demos for many years- originally on laser
disk (we still have the old laser disks in the library fro student
use.) The students have always been very enthusiastic about them.
Mostly, the demos appear to be REAL. That is students could easily do
them themselves and get the same results. They can easily be used to
interrupt a lecture and make a point. (Remember that research says
that students often tune out after 20 minutes of lecturing.)
--

Best wishes

Calvin


_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
_/ Calvin S. Kalman, P. Phys. Phone: (514) 848-2424 xt 3284
_/ Professor,Department of Physics Fax: (514) 848-2828
_/ Fellow, Science College
_/ Member, Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance
_/ Concordia University
_/ Montreal, QC H4B 1R6 Calvin.Kalman@concordia.ca
_/
_/ Also Adjunct Professor Department of Educational
_/ and Counseling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
_/
_/
_/ homepage- http://physics.concordia.ca/faculty/kalman.html
_/
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_//_/_/
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