Some subscribers to Phys-L and Physoc might be interested in a post
"Re: Research on Physics First" [Hake (2010)]. The abstract reads:
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ABSTRACT: Mike Gallagher of the Physics First discussion list wrote:
"When someone asks for research in support of physics first, where do
you point them. I have heard that there hasn't really been a quality
project evaluating the impact."
Carl Martikean responded: "The quantitative studies available, with
one exception, do not address how well freshmen learn physics," but
has not posted his references.
I refer to some research on Physics First, some of which *does*
address how well students learn physics, in "Re: "Physics First
Revisited" [Hake (2009)] online on the OPEN! Phys-L archives at
<http://bit.ly/baO9Hr>.
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"The three-year sequence must include a lot of process in addition to
content. How does science work? How did we discover some of these
things? Why is science such a universal culture? How do the traits of
skepticism, curiosity, openness to new ideas, and the joy of
discovering the beauty of nature affect the process of science? Long
after all the formulas, Latin words, and theories are forgotten, the
process will be remembered. The goal of teachers using the new
curriculum would be to produce high-school graduates who will be
comfortable with a scientific way of thinking."
Leon Lederman (2001)
REFERENCES [All URL's shortened by <http://bit.ly/> and accessed on
14 November 2010.]
Hake, R.R. 2010. Re: Research on Physics First online on the OPEN
AERA-L archives at <http://bit.ly/910rxH>. Post of 4 Nov 2010
12:15:24 -0800 to AERA-L Net-Gold,and Physics First. The abstract and
link to the complete post are being transmitted to various discussion
lists and are also on my blog "Hake'sEdStuff" at
<http://bit.ly/9QpZT5>
Lederman, L. 2001. "Revolution in Science Education: Put Physics
First." Physics Today 54(9): 11-12, September; online at
<http://bit.ly/anddW1>.