Support Resources for Remodeled Physics (updated October 2010)
by Dwain Desbien and Eric Brewe
Spiral Physics
Paul D’Alessandris, Monroe Community College
Rochester, NY 14623
This is a wealth of conceptual/quantitative activities that have been designed with
findings of physics education research in mind.
To download many modules for calculus-based physics and algebra-based physics:
http://web.monroecc.edu/spiral
Physics Ranking Tasks
Eds: Tom O’Kuma, David Maloney, Curt Hieggelke.
These are excellent items either for tests or as a basis for in-class discussion. They probe
conceptual understanding rather than quantitative problem solving and we use them fairly
extensively.
For descriptions of "classroom tasks inspired by physics education research" (TIPERS),
visit http://tycphysics.org/TIPERs/tipersdefn.htm
To see a sample of magnetism ranking tasks: http://tycphysics.org/ Click on TIPERS
To order the book or an examination copy:
Visit http://www.pearsonhighered.com and click on "educators", then search for
RANKING TASK EXERCISES IN PHYSICS: student edition. ($38.80 or less; 2004)
Or visit amazon.com and search for RANKING TASK EXERCISES IN PHYSICS. A
quote there: "Although these materials are copyrighted …, professors have the right to
use the materials for noncommercial educational purposes and can copy or have copied
the materials in the book for the students in their classes... We have included a CD with
this book that has a pdf version of each ranking task exercise in 8 1/2 x 11 format to
further facilitate professors' use of these materials ..."
Includes Kinematics, Forces, 2-D motion, Work-energy, Impulse-momentum, Rotational
motion, Properties of matter, Thermodynamics, Waves, Electrostatics, DC and resistive
circuits, Magnetism and EM.
"The real power of these assessment tools is that they can quickly and clearly get at a
student's alternative conceptions as to which physical variables might change a system's
behavior. The items can be used as quiz and test questions as well as during class time as
a "self-check" on "in-class check" by the educator to assist students in working through a
Karplus learning cycle ..."
RealTime Physics
David Sokoloff, Ronald Thornton, Priscilla Laws. These are well written labs that
encourage active learning. Visit http://www.wiley.com/ (and Amazon.com - cheaper)
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RealTime Physics, Active Learning Laboratories, Module 4: Light and Optics, 2nd
Edition
by David R. Sokoloff, Priscilla W. Laws, Robert K. Thornton
Paperback, March 2004
US $48.95 (as of October 2010)
RealTime Physics, Active Learning Laboratories, Module 3: Electric Circuits, 2nd
Edition
by David R. Sokoloff, Priscilla W. Laws, Robert K. Thornton
Paperback, February 2004
US $48.95
Real Time Physics Module 2: Heat and Thermodynamics, 2nd Edition
by David R. Sokoloff
Paperback, February 2004
US $38.95
Real Time Physics Module 1: Mechanics, 2nd Edition
by David R. Sokoloff
Paperback, January 2004
US $38.95 (as of October 2010)
Peer Instruction: Concept tests (updated in Oct. 2010)
Eric Mazur has developed hundreds of good conceptual questions.
For information and examples, visit http://ilt.seas.harvard.edu
Eric Mazur borrowed some of his questions from Paul Hewitt -- download 60 at
http://www.arborsci.com/ConceptualPhysics/default.aspx
Active Learning Problem Sheets (ALPS kits) (unfortunately, out of print in 2010)
by Alan Van Heuvelen
Hayden McNeil Publishing, Inc., 47461 Clipper, Plymouth, MI 48170
The ALPS kits include qualitative concept development activities, and problems that
emphasize the use of multiple representations in physical processes.
----------------------In 2009 Jane Jackson asked the modelers which of these course materials they use most.
Dwain Desbien (Estrella Mtn CC) replied: "I use Spiral and Real Time Physics the most. The
least is the Active learning problem sheets."
Brant Hinrichs (Drury College, Springfield, MO) replied: "Actually I eventually use them all
during the course of a semester. And I think they are all very good. I just know some better than
others so I use them more. I certainly use the spirit of them all throughout my semester.
If I had to rank, from most to least:
These three pretty equally: Spiral Physics, ranking tasks, real time physics
This one less: peer instruction concept tests
This one even less: Active Learning ..."
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