Re: Online Labs

[John Clement <clement@HAL-PC.ORG>]

However, one important result of Brasell's work shows that other methods of
analysis will not be as effective.  I the presentation of the graph is
delayed by about a certain amount (I think about a minute or so), the labs
become only as effective as paper and pencil tasks.  Any measurement that
requires extensive calculation should exhibit this effect.  Another benefit
of sonic rangers is that the student can do more experiments in a given
time.  As a result they see more examples of the effect which should help
with their misconceptions.

BTW references can be easily found to many papers by accessing ERIC
http://ericir.syr.edu/ then go to the Eric Database.  You can search by
author, title, and also by topics.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

> P.p.s Using a sonic ranger for the coffee filter demo. is justified.
> Bernard thinks computers, etc. are only justified when the experiment is
> very difficult, impractical, or impossible with out.  e.g. in the 50's I
> spent an hour with an adjustable single channel analyzer determing a
> gamma spectrum.  Now it's a few minutes and with much higher resolution.
>  Anothe:r Moessbauer experiment would be difficult with out computer
> operation (understatement).  However, muon lifetime measurement is
> easily done with out an MCA, etc.
>
> Tina Fanetti wrote:
> >   <The paper by
> > Heather Brasell showed that labs with motion detectors can be extreme=
> > ly
> > beneficial in helping students learn kinematics. <<
> >
> > First, can I have reference?
> >
> > What about in that time before when there were not motion detectors a=
> > nd fancy equipment?  How did students learn then?
> >
> > tina
> >
> > Tina Fanetti
> > Physics Instructor
> > Western Iowa Technical Community College
> > 4647 Stone Ave
> > Sioux City IA 51102
> > 712-274-8733 ext 1429