CHAUTAUQUA SHORT COURSE "PROMOTING ACTIVE LEARNING IN INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS
COURSES"
May 28-30, 1998
Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Priscilla Laws, Dickinson College
David Sokoloff, University of Oregon
Ronald Thornton, Tufts University
Here is an excellent opportunity to experience innovative, physics
education research-based approaches to active learning using
microcomputer-based (MBL) tools. The course is described in detail below.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Widespread physics education research has shown that a
majority of students have difficulty learning essential physical concepts
even in the best of our traditional courses. This Chautauqua course is
designed for those interested in making major changes in introductory
physics courses or in other introductory science courses. The focus will be
on giving participants direct experience with methods for promoting active
student involvement in the learning process through activity-based physics
strategies.
Participants will explore activities from several successful new curricula
which share common goals and techniques, all of which are based on the
outcomes of physics education research and the comprehensive use of
microcomputers. These include Workshop Physics, Tools for Scientific
Thinking and RealTime Physics. (The microcomputer-based tools used are
available for Macintosh, Windows and MS-DOS computers.) Samples of
curricula will be given out. Adaptation of curricular materials to a range
of institutional settings including small colleges and large universities
will be discussed. While the emphasis will be on activity-based learning
in laboratory or workshop environments, strategies for better integration
of lecture and laboratory sessions by means of Interactive Lecture
Demonstrations (ILDs) will also be discussed.
Effective methods for evaluation of conceptual learning will also be
explored. Studies have demonstrated substantial long-term learning gains
of physics concepts by students who have used these curricular materials.
The focus of this course will be on second semester topics: electricity and
magnetism, waves and optics. In addition to use of computers for data
collection and analysis (using MBL tools), this course will explore more
advanced mathematical modeling, and more advanced video analysis including
recording of digitized physics movies.
As with all NSF-sponsored Chautauqua courses, there is a small application
fee ($40), but no tuition. Participants or their institutions pay the
cost of lodging, meals and travel. Inexpensive dormitory lodging will be
available on campus.
Chautauqua courses are open to teachers of undergraduate students in
degree-granting institutions of higher education in the U.S. This includes
two-year and four-year colleges and universities. U.S. high school
teachers and faculty from outside the U.S. are also admitted if space is
available.
For more information and an application, contact:
David Sokoloff
Department of Physics
1274 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1274
Phone: (541) 346-4755
Fax: (541) 346-5861
E-MAIL: sokoloff@oregon.uoregon.edu
David R. Sokoloff
Associate Professor and Associate Head
Department of Physics
1274 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1274