Re: active learning for special relativity

["Robert W. Harris" <rwharris@CATH-MEM.ORG>]

I've used Gamow's story often when teaching relativity.  (For anyone who
wants to know, the paperback is published by Cambridge University Press.
ISBN 0-521-09355-4)

It is nice to have your students **intentionally** producing science
fiction.  I must try that.     My students seem to produce  science fiction
on exams where it is neither  expected  nor intended, and is not awarded
points.

Br. Robert W. Harris
Catholic Memorial High School
rwharris@cath-mem.org
http://www.cath-mem.org/physics/contents.htm



-----Original Message-----
From: S.Goelzer <sgoelzer@COEBROWNACADEMY.COM>
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Date: Friday, March 24, 2000 9:08 AM
Subject: Re: active learning for special relativity


> Hi
> I have found that George Gamow's collection of stories  "Mr. Tompkins in
Paperback"
> specifically the "City Speed Limit" story to be most helpful and enjoyable
for teaching
> special relativity. The synopses of the story is that Gamow's character,
Mr. Tompkins,
> spends time in a world where the speed of light is about 25 mph and the
consequences of SR
> are commonplace for the citizens there. I have my students produce their
own stories and
> poems based around the idea of producing 'educational science fiction' -
sure beats grading
> yet another standard exam.  The assignment is very well received by my
juniors and seniors.
> HTH
> Scott
>
>
> frank cange
>
> > From: Ben Crowell <bcrowell@SPRINTMAIL.COM>
> > Reply-To: "phys-l@lists.nau.edu: Forum for Physics Educators"
> > <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
> > To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
> > Subject: active learning for special relativity
> > Date: Sat, 18 Mar 2000 15:00:46 -0800
> >
> > Can anyone suggest any good sources of active learning
> > exercises, discussion questions, ConcepTests, etc. for
> > special relativity? I'm teaching the topic as part of our
> > two-semester algebra-based physics course.
> >
> >     Ben Crowell
> >     Fullerton College
>
> *****************************
> Scott Goelzer
> Coe - Brown Northwood Academy
> Northwood NH 03261
> 603-942-5531 ext43
> sgoelzer@coebrownacademy.com
> *****************************