Re: [Phys-l] introductory physics course

[Joseph Bellina <inquirybellina@comcast.net>]

I would echo John's comments.  I've used this material for about 10  
years with pre-service teachers and it is very powerful.  It does  
require a different mindset to run the class as well as being a  
student in the class.  I was able to sell it since it modeled very  
well what my students were learning in their ed courses.  I'm not  
sure  high school students would have the patience to do it.  It is  
also time intensive so if you are worried about covering standards,  
it could be a problem.  Don't get me wrong the time is well spent and  
the students learn in a deep way, both the science and what it means  
to learn as compared to memorizing.

Have you considered the modeling curriculum? It too is powerful.   
There are peer led workshops across the country that you could attend  
to learn the method. See the modeling website at Arizona State.

Whatever you are doing now, you could take advantage of the McDermott  
methodology by using her Tutorials in Physics in place of some of the  
labs you are doing, especially those that are canned confirmatory labs.
just another thought,

joe

Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
Emeritus Professor of Physics
Co-Director
Northern Indiana Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Collaborative
574-276-8294
inquirybellina@comcast.net




On Sep 29, 2010, at 1:52 PM, John Clement wrote:

> It is certainly well designed from the point of view of the PER  
> research.
> But students, parents, and the administration might object to it  
> because it
> is a series of lab activities and does not resemble a textbook.  The
> students will learn more from it, but many will say "Where is the  
> text?",
> this is a workbook.  The Minds on Physics almost suffers from the same
> problem, except that it is a combination with the "text" or reader  
> in the
> back of the book.  MOP also comes with an extensive set of instructors
> manuals.
>
> If you have never done physics by inquiry, it is inadvisable to  
> just jump in
> by using an inquiry based text.  Before using it you are well  
> advised to go
> to one of McDermott's summer workshops, where you can learn how to  
> use it.
> Without experience in doing this type of teaching, you are better  
> off with a
> more conventional text, and getting Mazur's book "Peer  
> Instruction".  Then
> try to learn why he does specific things and how he does them.   
> Then start
> by adding concept questions to you lectures.  Then after that I would
> recommend the Minds on Physics series as the next step.
>
> If you have taught in an inquiry fashion McDermott is certainly  
> recommended.
> If you have not already taught by inquiry, using this as a primary  
> text is
> very likely to be a disaster.
>
> John M. Clement
> Houston, TX
>
>
>
> > 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)
>
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