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An Active-learning Conceptual Physics Course

An Active-learning Conceptual Physics Course. William R. Warren Lord Fairfax Community College. Conceptual Physics. Emphasizes understanding Low math Related to common experience Non-science students. Conceptual Physics Texts (Traditional). Conceptual Physics (Hewitt)

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An Active-learning Conceptual Physics Course

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  1. An Active-learning Conceptual Physics Course William R. Warren Lord Fairfax Community College

  2. Conceptual Physics • Emphasizes understanding • Low math • Related to common experience • Non-science students

  3. Conceptual Physics Texts(Traditional) • Conceptual Physics (Hewitt) • Physics: A Practical and ConceptualApproach (Wilson) • Physics: A World View (Kirkpatrick and Wheeler) • The Physics of Everyday Phenomena (Griffith) • Physics: Concept and Connections (Hobson) • How Things Work (Bloomfield)

  4. Active-learning • Hands-on (Minds-on) • Little or no lecture • Guided Inquiry • Collaborative • Immediate Feedback

  5. Interactive-engagement vs. Traditional MethodsRichard R. Hake, A.J.P. Jan. ’98Force Concept Inventory gains

  6. Conceptual Physics Texts(Activity-Based) • Physics by Inquiry (McDermott) • Powerful Ideas in Physical Science (Khoury and Kirwan, et. al.) • Explorations in Physics (Jackson, Laws, and Franklin)

  7. Explorations in Physics An Activity-Based Approach to Understanding the World David P. Jackson Priscilla W. Laws Scott V. Franklin John Wiley & Son

  8. Explorations in Physics Unit A: Force, Motion, and Scientific Theories Unit B: Light, Sight, and Rainbows Unit C: Heat Temperature, and Cloud Formation Unit D: Buoyancy Pressure and Flight

  9. Projects • Students investigate a topic related to unit. • Reinforces and applies concepts • First-hand experience in scientific investigation • Group oral report • Individual written report

  10. First Semester Unit A: Force, Motion, and Scientific Theories (4 weeks) Project One (3.5 weeks) Unit D: Buoyancy, Pressure, and Flight (4 weeks) Project Two (3.5 weeks)

  11. Second Semester Unit C: Heat, Temperature, and Cloud Formation (4 weeks) Project Three (3.5 weeks) Unit B: Light, Sight, and Rainbows (4 weeks) Project Four (3.5 weeks)

  12. Evaluation(Course-Specific Questions) The hands-on activities were an effective way for me to learn physics concepts. 4.13 The projects were a good application and extension of what we learned in class. 4.52 Working in groups was a beneficial educational experience. 4.74 The oral reports were worthwhile. 4.13 The written reports were valuable exercises. 4.22

  13. Force Concept Inventory Full FCI Pre-test 26% Post-test 31% g = .067 Partial FCI (no third law, no 2D) Pre-test 25% Post-test 33% g = 0.11

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