We use this book quite heavily for our introductory physics course for non-majors. We've supplemented it some for motion and forces but like it very well for the other sections. Our particular course is a hands-on, inquiry-based courses where the learning is done through small group work. There is no formal lecture and students work in these groups 5 hours each week as we move through the topics. At certain break points there are checks to complete (as described in the book) where selected individuals must sum up the information about what they have learned from completing the activities. If they are on the right track they move forward, if they are perhaps off a bit they are asked to go back and reinvestigate a particular activity and redo their check. We've had this course in place for several years and it is now a requirement for our pre-service elementary and middle grades education majors.
Regards, Robert.
-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of roberto
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 1:26 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: [Phys-l] introductory physics course
hello to everyone on this list,
i am considering the chance to use the following book for my next
physics course in high school:
"Physics by Inquiry by Lillian McDermott"
and i'd like to hear if anyone has used it, if it was useful or not,
if you are aware of resources built upon a similar conceptual
background and what you think about the McDermott view of learning
physics (at schools and beyond)