Dr. Jeff Bindell jbindell@mail.ucf.edu
Dr. Archana Dubey adubey@mail.ucf.edu
TEXTBOOK
College Physics (8 th Edition) by Cutnell & Johnson, John Wiley & Sons, (2009)- (Vol. II)

Dr. Bindell’s Last Class

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A combined Class-Room/Laboratory approach to teaching physics.
4 Credits. (2 hour sessions – 3 days/week)
 Electricity, Magnetism and Optics form the bulk of this course.
 Virtually no formal lectures
 Peer Instruction
 This approach is now finding increased use at many schools across the country.

 More Informality to Instruction
 T-shaped Tables
 Group Approach to Learning / Learning
Together
 Class Discussions
 Low Student/Faculty Ratio
 Students have the responsibility both for learning and for teaching.

 Memorize
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Remember the formulas
Remember the definitions
Remember the solutions to ALL problems that you have ever seen solved in any Physics class in the universe.
 Understanding
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Cognitive understanding of physics
Remember some formulas but you can usually derive them.
Solve problems through understanding of the underlying physics principles.

1
2
3
• Problem posed to group
• Experiment performed by group
• Results explained by group
Cognitive Understanding
Group

 Lecture and Labs are Synchronized
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Labs are exploratory rather than governed by step by step instructions
Some “Labs” will be problem solving exercises.
 You may have to search (internet, textbook) for information to assist with activity
 Talking is encouraged rather than forbidden!

 Listening
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Mini Lecture
Student Presentations/Arguments
 Seeing
 Demonstrations
 Reading
 Studying textbook
 Discussing
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Peer “Instruction”
 Touching & Experiencing.
 Exploratory Laboratory Experiments

 You may form initial groups of three to begin the program. You would be better off teaming with people you do NOT know well.
 Group assignments will be changed after each examination to maintain proper balance.
 Please wear nametags so we can all get to know each other.

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Peer Instruction
 You will solve problems and do experiments with your group.
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Some problems will seem very strange and difficult.
You will learn the value of a team approach to learning.
You will argue with each other and with other groups in your “quest” for understanding.
You may present your findings or solutions to the rest of the class (always optional).
Your classes should be more “fun” than the older approach.

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Limited Lecture … you have to learn some of the material yourself or with your group.
 Your brain goes numb after 10 minutes of lecture anyway.
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You can fall asleep during a lecture after 15 minutes.
You will not fall asleep in this class format.
Internet Oriented
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Information on what is happening is obtained from the class page: www.physics.ucf.edu/~bindell
Information needed to solve “problems” or complete
“activities” may be obtained from the web.
You are RESPONSIBLE for information presented to you on the class page … whether we tell you about it or not!

 You are an archeology student.
 You are led to the opening of a cave.
 You are to explore the cave.
 You have a little flashlight which illuminates small areas only.
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Now … let’s enter the cave.

Then you trip over a rock.

 With the same flashlight you are told:
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Read about caves in your textbook.
Go into the cave.
 Watch out for rocks on the floor of the cave.
Check out the WALLS of the cave.
You can go in with two other students, each with an additional flashlight.

In you go again …..

 You were given some guidance .
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You were NOT told what to expect, only given a suggestion as to where to look.
You “ discovered ” cave drawings.
 You had done a bit of pre-reading and you therefore knew more about what you were looking for.
 You learned more than if you were just given pictures of cave drawings in a lecture!

 We can judge how well a student has learned and understood the semester’s work by:
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Giving a “pre-diagnostic test”
Giving a “post-diagnostic test” (at the end of the semester)
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These “tests” do not “count” in your grade but we can tell via the test design if you are messing with us and we will kill you.
 We may not be able to do this.
 We use these and other tools to decide if we are successful.
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Let’s take a brief look

(Old Data)
Conventional Peer

 Weight Watchers (loss is a gain!)
 You are given a goal of how many pounds you should lose to get to your ideal weight
 You weigh 235 and you need to get to 190.
 You get to 215
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Attained: 20 lb loss
“Max”: 45 lbs
 Normalized loss = 20/45=44%
 You can compare these normalized losses with the other people in your class.

Pretest is where you
Start off.
You want to attain
100%

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Lab Notebook
 A loose leaf notebook will probably work best.
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Keep class problem solutions & homework problems
Class observations and exercises
Notebook Grade
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Notebooks will be collected at the end of the semester.
If you are bordering on the next higher grade, the quality of the notebook will be used as a factor in awarding it.
The notebook will be used to determine how much of the class work you have completed.

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Monday and Wednesday
 Regular sessions
Fridays
 Occasionally Friday will be like a Monday or Wednesday.
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Fridays will often concentrate on problem solving and
Review
Discussions
Quizzes (15 minutes)/Exams (50 minutes)

 Homework system is WebAssign
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Initial Password is “ihatephysics”
 Your old password may still work.
 Your ID is your PID without the leading letter.
 Clicker System
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 i-clicker be sure that the ID is not obliterated.

 Normal Homework ~ 6-10 problems per week
 Reading Assignments prior to class with a few simple questions to make sure you are prepared for class.
 You are encouraged to collaborate on homework assignments with your group members. Separate submissions are required.

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There will be a quiz almost EVERY Friday.
Most will be based upon a structured problem solving protocol – group or individual- (you will find out about this later or check the web site for information)
Exams will also be usually given on a Friday. Be careful about making travel arrangements until you know when the exams will be.

Item
Mid Semester Examinations (4)
Final Examination
Homework
In Class Quizzes
Class Participation (Clicks)
Laboratory Work
%
20
20
15
15
15
15

START
ELECTRICITY
INDUCTION
MAXWELL
MAGNETISM
OPTICS

 Learning is really YOUR RESPONSIBILITY in
Studio Physics.
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You may be frustrated occasionally because the instructional staff does not give you all of the answers or validate your individual or group conclusions.
 This is so that you will really THINK these things out.
 Thinking is a good thing!
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING THE
CLASS WEBSITE AND WebAssign often.

 Register for WA
 Procure an i-clicker and register it.
 Read the first few sections about charge in the textbook.