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Roundtable Discussion of Issues in Teaching Introductory Physics. Dr. Deonna Woolard Associate Professor of Physics Randolph-Macon College.
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Roundtable Discussion of Issues in Teaching Introductory Physics Dr. Deonna Woolard Associate Professor of Physics Randolph-Macon College
“The Force Concept Inventory (FCI) is a multiple choice test designed to assess students understanding of the most basic concepts in Newtonian Mechanics” (page 45)
Two metal balls are the same size but one weighs twice as much as the other. The balls are dropped from the room of a single story building at the same instant. The time it takes to reach the ground below will be • About half as long for the heavier ball as the lighter one • About half as long for the lighter ball as for the heavier one • About the same time for both • Considerably less for the heavier ball, but not necessarily half as long • Considerably less for the lighter ball, not necessarily half as long
Two metal balls are the same size but one weighs twice as much as the other. The balls are dropped from the room of a single story building at the same instant. The time it takes to reach the ground below will be • About half as long for the heavier ball as the lighter one • About half as long for the lighter ball as for the heavier one • About the same time for both • Considerably less for the heavier ball, but not necessarily half as long • Considerably less for the lighter ball, not necessarily half as long
What’s going on? • Reading Comprehension • Vocabulary • Algebraic Manipulation • Geometry • READING the Text • Technical Writing Abilities
Student Capabilities • More AP and Honors courses in High School • GPAs of entering students 4+/4.0 • Advanced subject material at an earlier age
So why don’t we … • See better scores on the FCI • See better • math skills • reading comprehension • writing skills
Possibilities… • More high school students going to college now than ever before • ?????????