120 likes | 222 Views
AP Physics In-Service. October 9 th , 2012 Northgate High School. Kennesaw Mountain HS. Located in Kennesaw, Cobb County Schools Roughly 2250 students Math & Science Magnet Program 450 Students Offer 25 AP Courses 2012 AP Data 403 students took 846 tests (78% 3 or higher).
E N D
AP Physics In-Service October 9th, 2012 Northgate High School
Kennesaw Mountain HS • Located in Kennesaw, Cobb County Schools • Roughly 2250 students • Math & Science Magnet Program • 450 Students • Offer 25 AP Courses • 2012 AP Data • 403 students took 846 tests (78% 3 or higher)
AP Physics at KMHS • Offer AP Physics C: Mechanics • Spring Semester • Nearly all students have Calculus prior • This year will have 59 students enrolled • First year had 16 students in AP Physics B only • Recent Averages • 2012: 3.65 (51 students) • 2011: 4.04 (25 students) • 2010: 4.23 (35 students)
Why good scores? • Primary Reason: Strong, well-prepared students • Magnet program • 2nd Year Physics course • Excellent Calculus teachers
Year-Long Test Prep • Secondary Reason: Students are not surprised on May 13th • Familiar with AP Questions • Test Questions & Format • Practice Problems • Resources: AP Central & learnapphysics.com • Homework Quizzes • Used to test knowledge of formulas • Time for full-length practice tests prior to exam
Inquiry/PBL Problems • To increase engagement and higher order thinking skills, try Problem-Based Learning • Requires deeper understanding of concepts • Stretches students’ thinking • Increases engagement by using authentic scenarios • College Board Position
PBL Resources • Problem-Based Learning for College Physics • Website containing many sample PBL exercises • Describes how and why to use PBL • Problem-Based Learning at U. of Delaware • PBL Clearinghouse • PBL’s for all disciplines
Flipped Classroom • “Flip” things traditionally done at school with things traditionally done at home • Lecture flipped with problem solving • Allows more time for assistance and “tutoring” • Also more lab time and more time for PBL’s • Encourages collaboration between students and between students and teacher
Video Resources • Monterey Institute for Technology & Education • Videos for both AP Physics B and AP Physics C • Other disciplines also available • Animations with narration • MIT Open Courseware • Videos • Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Waves, etc. • Supplementary Materials • Lecture notes, exam questions, practice problems
Video Resources • Khan Academy • How to make your own: • Camtasia • Lots of editing tools • Unlimited length of videos • Expensive • Snagit • Unlimited length of videos • Less expensive than Camtasia • Jing • Five minute limit • Free of charge