Re: [Phys-l] Modeling for Physics Instruction

["Mary Hing-Hickman" <physicsphun@cox.net>]

Hi Don,

When I was a graduate student, I had to take an upper level elective course. 
I chose Atomic physics because that was my area of research at the time. The 
professor of the course was well known for being tough but fair.

He decided to do something different the year I took the course.  He gave us 
several papers published on topics in Atomic Physics.  He then told us there 
was something wrong with the papers.  As a group, we had to figure out what 
was wrong and then correct them.

He guided us with helpful hints such as, "Look at the curve.  What do you 
think could produce that curve?"  Sometimes he would then leave the room 
with a comment to come and get him when we figured it out.  Other times he 
would help us with questions to guide us.  I learned more in that class than 
any other course I had taken in graduate school.  It was applicable to my 
field and it was practical.  I saw a purpose for studying quantum mechanics 
and electrodynamics.   It was also the most rewarding because we DID figure 
it out.

We didn't have equipment given to us to play with, but we were given a paper 
to read.  We could look at references and we had our textbooks.  We also had 
each other and that was our greatest strength.

I can see how modeling could work in upper level and even graduate level 
courses.

Mary E Hing-Hickman


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Polvani, Donald G." <donald.polvani@ngc.com>
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 11:53 AM
Subject: [Phys-l] Modeling for Physics Instruction


> My education in physics occurred 40 years ago, so the simple article
> below on the value of modeling as an instruction technique was new and
> of interest to me.  I can see where it would be of value in introductory
> courses, but have any of you used this technique in advanced
> undergraduate/graduate courses on classical mechanics, quantum theory,
> relativity, etc.  It's great to discover things by yourself, but is
> there really time to do this with the great number of advanced topics
> which have to be covered, not to mention the practicality of modeling
> advanced concepts?
>
> See:
>
> http://www.philly.com/inquirer/health_science/daily/20070803_Masters_of_
> spring_theory.html
>
> Don Polvani
> Northrop Grumman Corp.
> Undersea Systems
> Annapolis, MD
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