Re: [Phys-L] Semester length and course structure

[Donald Smith <dsmith4@guilford.edu>]

Good afternoon,

Thanks for responding.  I am actually less worried about shortening to
the 12 (yeah, we're going to have to cut stuff, which is frustrating,
but for most of the classes, that's not a *qualitative* change, unless
we decide to do something radically different with labs...) than I am
about using the 3-week term effectively.  We haven't been told yet how
many of the short terms are supposed to be for gen-ed or non-major
courses, so it's hard to start planning, but I am thinking that some
of the material we won't have time to put in the 12 week can slide
into the 3-week, with some pedagogical innovation/flexibility.  For
example, we could do experimental optics, or electronics, or computer
modeling projects.  I am also thinking about maybe something like
Oregon's "modules", where they teach the upper level courses in short
chunks that focus on techniques rather than subject -- so you learn
how to do separation of variables, and then you use it in E&M and
Quantum applications, etc.  Then on to the next technique.

Anyway, I was just hoping to find others out there who have had to
make this transition and to hear their stories.

Yours,

Don




On Fri, Mar 2, 2018 at 2:43 PM, Bill Nettles <bnettles@uu.edu> wrote:
> I'm not a person who curses, but this type of thing greatly vexes me.  Why does any sane educator think we can fit equivalent learning into 20% less time?  I feel sorry for you having to figure this out.  Semesters were 16 weeks when I first started and now we're down to 13.5.  I can't imagine going to 12.  Three week mini-terms are impossible in physics at the undergraduate level unless you have highly-motivated A-level students!!! Even then it won't involve senior level topics.
>
> I'm sorry for the rant, but that action is worse than any physics textbook errors which might be out there.  At least we can correct those on the fly when we encounter them.
>
> Practically, you're going to have to leave out a lot of material. In the introductory sequence, geometrical optics and magnetic fields are the first to disappear. AC circuits probably wasn't there to begin with, but it's gone, too, with a 12 week class. RC circuits, moment of inertia calculations are next.  It's really sad ... Of course, you could leave everything in, pick up the pace, and leave 90% of the students in the dust and hating physics.  Sigh...
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phys-l [mailto:phys-l-bounces@mail.phys-l.org] On Behalf Of Donald Smith
> Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2018 8:01 PM
> To: Phys-L@phys-l.org
> Subject: [Phys-L] Semester length and course structure
>
> Good evening,
>
> This is perhaps a bit different from the usual type of question asked here, but my college is about to switch from a 15 week semester to a
> 12 week semester combined with a 3 week mini-term in which students take one, intensive, 3-credit class at a time.  Does anyone here teach at a school that has such a schedule?  I would be interested to hear stories about how you made it work for better physics instruction, or if you have any horror stories that suggest what to avoid trying.  I have some ideas about short lab classes and computational physics projects, but I would love to hear about what others have tried.  If this forum isn't the right venue for that conversation, I would welcome emails sent directly to me.
>
> Thank you in advance,
> --
> Donald Smith
> Guilford College Physics Department
> http://class.guilford.edu/physics/dasmith
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-- 
Donald Smith
Guilford College Physics Department
http://class.guilford.edu/physics/dasmith