[Phys-L] Re: What students will do. (was: Physics Solutions Manual)

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

Absolutely.  They also contain way too many topics.  They are a mile
wide, and inch deep, and too many pounds.  They make good doorstops.
 There are some newer books that do have enough drawings, and then
there are some which present the information at a more measured pace
with enough depth.  I have found the Minds on Physics series to be
very good for HS.  It provides activities which challenge student
preconceptions, and present a coherent model for physics.  One can
skip over activities for extremely high caliber students, and slow
down profitably for others.  It does promote expert like problem
solving while helping students with their misconceptions.
 Unfortunately the reader part of the book is a bit high level in some
respects, but it does provide good illustrations.  Anyone who wishes
to use it can find ancillary simulations on my website.
 www.hal-pc.org/~clement

John M. Clement
Houston, TX


> It has been my experience that physics books at ANY level are too
> hard for
> students to read. Too much information, and/or too few
> diagrams/explanations. It's no wonder students are turned off by
> them.
> Physics should be the most exciting field to study, but the thick
> textbooks don't present it that way. It is a shame. Not that I could
> write
> a better book, but most of the ones out there basically look the
> same. A
> great TEACHER inspires kids, so who really needs a book? I type up
> my own
> math problems in the regular course.
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