Physics 10 On Line Syllabus/Introduction
August 6, 2013
Ken Cheney
Never too soon to start teaching!
CONTENTS:
A. Introduction:
1.
2.
The Joy of Physics
What the course is like
3.
Why the course is constructed as it is.
B. Micro Syllabus
C. Student Constructed Syllabus [short (relatively)
and colorful] thanks to Mr. David Holmes
D. A Traditional Syllabus by me: [long
and (mostly) monotone]
1. General
2. Grading (Part One)
3. Class Organization / Sections
4. Activities / Groups
5. Grading Scale
6. Sample Work For Student Mary
7. Why The Course Is Constructed As It Is
8. SLO
9. Quick Reference
A.Introduction
1.The Joy of Physics
What you will learn about :-)
Black Holes - Do they suck?
The birth of the Universe - over and over!
, complete,
Arguably humankinds most successful endeavour - after
making babies..
What's smaller than atoms, - smaller than
that, even smaller yet??
Is anti-matter real - or just on Star Trek?
How to get more out than you put in - or can you?
Death by electrocution - or study and live long and prosper :-)
The most accurate calculations humans have ever made - and
we don't understand them :-(
Extra Terrestrials - where are they?
All in one short session with never an equation in view! "What, never?", "No never", "What, never", "Well, hardly
ever!" :-)
2.What the Course is Like
To get the most out of this course it will be helpful to know what I have in mind
for you!
It would be nice to learn all Physics during the course but you may suspect that
this is not practical. Anyway, this is a Physics Appreciation course not a “How
to build your own hydrogen bomb” course.
Instead we will attempt to learn something of what Physics is (more a
philosophy-with insistence on experimental checking- than a collection of
equations), some concepts (conservation of energy, why is Einstein revered?)
and (most important) how to keep learning for the rest of your life. The last
assumes that my course doesn’t convince you that for your mental health you
should avoid Physics for the rest of your life...
People learn many different ways so the grading scheme is designed to let you
learn in the ways you find most efficient and most enjoyable. On the other hand
the grading scheme design also encourages you to try new things.
 If you prefer to take quizzes you can get most of your points that way.
 If you prefer to do research, attend lectures, or visit museums you can get
most of your points that way.
 I’ve been told that some learn best by talking about the subject until they
understand it. You can even get many of your points that way!
 If you have many probing questions or clever answers you can earn many
of your points that way!
 If you enjoy constructing presentations for others in the class you can get
many of your points that way!
==================================
3.Why the course is constructed as it is.
Toward the end of this rather long Syllabus is an
explanation of the rationale behind the unusual
construction of this course. This construction is
primarily based on what research can tell us about what
activities actually result in the best student performance
on tests. And secondarily the course construction is
based on some of my personal observations (actually
common knowledge) about the retention of knowledge
long after a class is over.
B. Physics 10 On Line Micro
Syllabus 2014 01 05
Ken Cheney
Description: Physics appreciation, little math
Text Books:
No required text
Reference:
"Physics 10 Lecture Notes" (The Book Mart, kbcheney.com),
tutorials included in the course, other on line courses
Books to read:
Feynman "Surely you're joking Mr. Feynman" and Watson "The
Double Helix"
Grading:
1. Multiple Guess or short answer (on "Books to Read") quizzes every week
2. Do it yourself Activities for most of the points
3. Optional Final to replace Multiple Guess tests
To contact me, in order of preference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Questions by/for students in Group 1 in Discussions (Home)
Reply to my reply to your entry in Discussion Activities (Home)
InBox in Canvas, upper right.
My office phone 626 578-7134 , Division 626 578-7140
Any time you find me on campus, even during labs!
To Start:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
www.canvas.pasadena.edu
"Home"
"Start Here", follow the instructions!
Turn in your personal information to Group 11
Read "Bits about Science"
Start doing fun Activities found in Discussions or Activities or Modules
Check "Syllabus" for more detail about the course!
To prepare for a quiz Multiple Guess type:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Look at “To Study” (Home) for the quiz.
Read my essays on the topics for the quiz.
Look at “Calendar” for the content, time, and date.
Look up the topics and practice those topics in the “Test Bank”.
If you don’t understand from my summaries look up topics in the book or on line
(Wikipedia, Google, UCB on YouTube, . . .)
To prepare for a “Book” Quiz:



Read the book!
Practice with the Test Bank questions for the book.
Use the required format for your answer.
C. Student Constructed
Syllabus
Short (relatively) and colorful
Thanks to Mr. David Holmes
INTRODUCTION
TONE: Physics 10 is an appreciation course with very little math.
GOAL: Learn what Physics is, some concepts, and - most importantly - how to continue
lifelong learning.
GETTING IN CONTACT WITH CANVAS
Log on to Canvas using www.canvas.pasadena.edu since it is much more reliable than the
pasadena.edu portal. You must use the same student I.D. required to log on to any system
here at P.C.C.
Once connected with Canvas: Explore LOTS, Start with “Start Here”
BOOKS FOR THE CLASS: TWO
FOR REFERENCE, TWO FOR THE BOOK TEST
P.C.C. LIBRARY: Paul Hewitt, Conceptual Physics Fundamentals, any Edition from
Pearson Addison Wesley. This is a free resource and useful reading for this class; however,
students cannot check-out this book. Ask the Circulation Desk where to find this book. Or
you can buy at the Book Mart etc.
BOOK MART: Ken Cheney, Physics 10 Lecture Notes and Sample Questions. Purchase at
the Book Mart located across Colorado Boulevard in front of P.C.C.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS: Richard Feynman, Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! ISBN#
978-0393316049 and the other book by James D. Watson, The Double Helix ISBN# 9780743216302. Students can borrow or purchase these books wherever possible (multiple
libraries, Book Mart, half.com, amazon.com, iPad, Kindle, etc.); either way, you must read
them before taking the two separate book tests!
CLASS SCHEDULE




There are six separate Sections. Each week ends with a quiz. The first five Sections
are worth a nominal 100 points (100%) the last Section is worth a nominal 50 points.
There is no makeup (except the final can replace the Multiple Guess Quizzes) once a
Section is over.
The Sections start the first day of class and at midnight after some Quizzes. The
Sections end at midnight after some Quizzes and the final.
See the Calendars for the exact dates and Quiz topics.
NAVIGATING CANVAS
These are the parts of Canvas you will see when you log-on.
COURSE CONTENT: Begins with Bits about “Science” which is necessary to answer most
questions in Discussions, * Tutorials for individual Sections, * Quiz study material, * Test
Bank containing most possible quiz questions, * Feynman/Watson Sample Questions for
book tests, and ends with * Final Exam study material.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This is where I will remind the class of upcoming events such as
quizzes as well as important issues or concerns.
QUIZZES: Here is where you will take your individual quizzes. Quiz 0 is a practice test I
highly recommend you try before actually beginning your first quiz; it saves time and reduces
anxiety. Also, you must be ready beforehand since time is a critical component of the
tests. Quizzes are only 30 minutes or less long. If you are not done when time expires,
Canvas will force you out. Unfinished and/or unsaved answers will be marked incorrect by
the computer system. All quizzes/tests are given on Sunday, all 24 hours of Sunday.
CALENDAR: Quizzes, tests, and when to earn Early Bird Extra Credit are noted on this
feature. Check the Calendar link if you forget about an upcoming quiz or test.
CHAT: Instant message other students who are online. I give points/credit to students who
help each other. Multiple points can be earned using this tab.
ACTIVITIES/DISCUSSIONS: You can earn points in each of the ten Groups (from 1 to 10),
with each Group allowing only one entry per Section, except Group 1; thus, answering from
multiple Groups accrues more points. Utilize various methods of earning points since,
considering quizzes and tests only, you CANNOT get an A or B in the class without doing
some Activities; besides, Activities also act as buffers from bad grades on individual quizzes
or may completely replace Section credit altogether wherein full credit is earned through
Activities alone. Activities, either alone or coupled with quizzes, can earn the maximum of
120 points (or 120%) per Section!
SYLLABUS: You can review this syllabus anytime throughout class by clicking this link.
GRADES:
Access from the center column to get all the information. Students can check
their grades throughout class for individual Sections. Whenever a student earns points, they
should check to ensure their points are applied here. There is lots of information to let you
know how you are doing in the class.
EARNING POINTS
ACTIVITIES: Various points. Earn up to 100% (full credit) plus 20% extra for each
Section.
QUIZZES: At the end of each week, Sunday. At the end of every Section – Three Quizzes at
80 points and two Quizzes at 40 points if paired with a book test. If you answer the Multiple
Guess Quizzes perfectly but do nothing else you will earn 58% or a D+ for the class.
BOOK TESTS: Feynman and Watson books - 40 points each. They cannot be replaced by
Activities.
FINAL: Replaces quizzes if it is better than quizzes, but can limit your final grade for the
class. See “GRADING” below.
EARLY BIRD EXTRA CREDIT: Earn 5 points for each successful activity on the first day
of each Section.
GROUP CREDIT: An extra 5 points awarded for a successful Group project and
applies once for class - Group projects can earn a maximum of 45 points.
GRADING
The maximum grade on the final part does not apply
currently
A: You must score an 85% or better for the entire class and get at least 60% (C-) on the
Final.
B: Have a score on or between 75% - 84.99% for the class and get at least a 50% (D-) on the
Final.
C: Have a score on or between 60% - 74.99% for the class and get at least a 40% (F+) on the
Final.
D: Have a score on or between 50% - 59.99% for the class and get at least a 40% (F+) on the
Final.
F: Score less than 50% for the class or get less than a 40% on the Final.
CONTACTING ME
ACTIVITY QUESTION: Click “Reply” on the activity submission. Please
wait 48 hours, then panic if I don’t post your grade or respond to your query!
GENERAL QUESTION: Use the “Student Questions, Group 1” under Discussions in
Canvas. Students may answer other student’s questions here as well (and earn points).
EMERGENCY/PERSONAL: Use “Inbox, upper right" on Canvas.
IN PERSON OR CALLING: Other techniques to reach me only work when I’m on campus
such as visiting my office, which is E310C, or through my office phone (626) 585-7134. I’m
generally not on campus during the winter or summer sessions. Feel free to drop into my labs
if I'm not actually lecturing!
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
(S.L.O.)
Upon successful completion of Physics 10, the student will be able to...
Solve basic problems with mechanics, heat, sound, electricity, optics, pressure effects,
and radioactivity.
Explain the nature of sound, light, and electricity.
Apply theoretical concepts of physics to household appliances and to practical settings.
Understand and explain the physical laws of nature.
To Prepare for a Quiz: Multiple Guess type:




Practice with Quiz 0
Look at “To Study” for the Quiz
Read my essays on the topics for the Quiz.
Look at “Calendar” for the content, time and date of the
Quiz.
 Look up the topics and practice those topics in the “Test
Bank”.
 If you don’t understand from my essays look at the
topics in the books or on line (Wikipedia, Google,
YouTube, . . .)
To prepare for a “Book” test, Feynman and Watson:
 READ THE BOOK There will not be enough time
during the test to find the information you need if you are
not familiar with the book.
 Practice with the Test Bank questions for the book.
 Use the required format for your answer.
D. Traditional
Syllabus
Long , complete, and (mostly)
monotone, by me
GENERAL
DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE: One semester almost non-mathematical
survey of Physics.
TO LOG ON TO WEBCT/CANVAS: http://pcc.canvas.com or just
pcc.canvas.com
HOW TO CONTACT ME:
In order of preference:
1. f referring to a Discussion submission in Canvas: Please use “Reply” to
my reply. If I haven’t responded yet please use a “Reply” to your entry.
First please “Wait 48 hours, THEN panic!”
2. If asking a question: Use the “Student Questions, Group 1” under
Discussions in Canvas.
Check here regularly to see what questions and answers other students
have submitted.
3. If these don’t seem suitable use the InBox (upper right) of Canvas.
4. In Person: My office is E310C or feel free to drop into my labs any time
I'm not lecturing.
a. 
Mail Ken Cheney, Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA
91106
only works if I’m on campus!
b.  Office
E310C only works if I’m on campus!
c. 
Phones My office 626 585-7134 only works if I’m on
campus!
5. Division office 626 585-7140
BOOKS AND SUCH
There are no required texts :-)
REFERENCE: Ken Cheney, “Physics 10 Lecture Notes and Sample
Questions”, at the Book Mart across Colorado from PCC.
A set of lecture notes (old ) from my on-campus lectures. $11.95 as of
September 18, 2008.
You might check out kbcheney.com also.
REFERENCE: Paul Hewitt, “Conceptual Physics Fundamentals”,
Pearson Addison Wesley, or the older “Conceptual Physics”.
Probably any edition will do, I have the tenth edition of CP and the first
edition of CPF. Other books may also do although specific Section or
homework references won’t apply.
BOOKS TO READ FOR THE “BOOK TEST”:
Feynman: “Surely you’re joking Mr. Feynman”
Watson: “The Double Helix”
All these books can be found at The Book Mart just north of Colorado
Blvd. across from PCC.
These are all common books and widely available.
The PCC bookstore probably won’t have these books.
The PCC Library (and others) may have these books, if you are quick!
GRADING Part One:
Each Section of the class (one week for winter or summer, two or three weeks
for fall and spring) makes up a separate grading period, 100 points per Section,
and 50 points for the last (short) Section. You can make an extra twenty points
for insurance each Section.
There is a Quiz every Sunday, any time during the twenty four hours.
The Final, Multiple Guess, will have questions very similar to the questions on
the Section Quizzes (not the “Book” tests). 100 questions.
If you do better on the Final than on the Section Quizzes the Final will replace
the Section Quizzes, except for the “Book” tests.
If you do worse on the Final than on the Section Quizzes I will ignore the Final.
HOWEVER:
The maximum grade on the final part does not apply
currently
To get an A in the class you must get at least 85% for the
class AND at least a C (60%) on the Final
For example: If you get 55% on the final you will
not get an A in the class no matter how many points
you have  The best grade you can get is a B.
For a B in the class you need at least 75% for the class
AND at least a D (50%) on the Final
For a C in the class you need at least 60% for the class
AND at least 40% on the Final
For a D in the class you need at least 50% for the class
AND at least 40% on the Final.
HOW POINTS ARE EARNED
a) Multiple Guess Quizzes: Every Sunday unless the test is about the
Feynman or Watson Books.
These MG quizzes total either eighty or forty points for each Section.
The sum of MG and Book quizzes is eighty each for Sections one through
five. There are no quizzes for Section Six
Quizzes alone will not give you a good grade. A perfect score on all the
quizzes will give you 58% or "D" for the class. Do lots of Activities!
b) Final: Can replace the Multiple Guess Quizzes if the Final is better than
the Quizzes, also limits the final grade for the class see “HOWEVER”
above!
c) Book tests: About books by Feynman and Watson, 40 points each.
These points cannot be made up by extra Activities : (
Perfect quizzes and Book tests add up to 400 points, 72.7% or a "C" for the
class, do lots of Activities!
d) Activities: Various points, can earn up to 100% (full credit) plus 20%
extra for each Section. Activities are found under Discussion, Activities,
or Modules at Home.
You can easily get an "A" in the class by doing Activates alone!
e) Early Bird Extra Credit: Five points extra credit for each successful
Activity during the first day of each Section. The Activity must be on the
current Topic. See Mondays on the Calendar (access through Home) for
the current Topic. The next Quiz will be on this topic.
g) Group Credit – Extra Credit: Five points extra credit for each Group
that has a successful submission. This applies once for the class. 45
points possible.
CLASS ORGANIZATION / SECTIONS
SECTIONS:
Within each Section points can be acquired by several methods (Activities),
within limits you can choose which methods to use.
If you do extra work you can earn an extra 20 points each Section to get a
cushion against poor Sections or bad Quizzes! i.e. even though the grading
scale is based on 100 points you can get a maximum of 120 points each Section
except the last. The grading scale for the last Section is based on 50 points, you
can make up to 70 points.
Two of the Sections will include a required test (open book) on Feynman and
Watson’s books. There are many sample questions available.
MISSED QUIZZES:
Quizzes missed for any reason are made up by taking the Final. There is
generally no way to make up the “Book” tests, do lots of extra Activities!!
Possibly a makeup Book Test on the book "Lucy" will be available the day of
the final.
QUIZ (MULTIPLE GUESS) AND “BOOK”
TESTS:
There is a Quiz at the end of each week (except the last Section, Section 6)
on that Section’s topics. Most of the questions will be taken from the Test
Bank. These Multiple Guess Quizzes count for a total of 58% of your total
points but these points can be replaced by Activities. If you do better on the
Multiple Guess Final it will replace all your Multiple Guess Quizzes. Even if
you do not need the points the Section Quizzes are good practice for the
Final.
Some of the weeks end with a “Book” test. These are short answer tests on
the books by Feynman and Watson. There are many sample questions in the
Test Banks. These Book Tests count for 14.5% of your total.
See “Calendar” for time, date, and subjects of the Quizzes.
Quizzes are generally given on Sunday, but CHECK THE CALENDER!
This time is, of course, not perfect for everyone but experience has shown
that when put to a vote this is the day and time most of the class prefer. This
is the only time the quizzes are given. Check for the rules on Activities and
the Final if you must miss one or more Quizzes.
The time for the Quizzes is plenty long enough if you have worked with the
Practice Quizzes. There will not be enough time to research the answers if
you have not already studied.
Some of the questions require you to actually think about the information
you have learned, not just parrot back the answer.
There is a lot of information for each Quiz under, for example, “To Study
Quiz 1”, etc. This is found in the center column of Home.
A perfect quiz, or quiz plus Book Test, only counts 80%, a “B” for that
Section. Section Six has no Quiz. You MUST do Activities to get the rest
of the points
An average result for the Multiple Guess Quizzes (if you do not get credit for
the Book Tests), say three quarters of the questions correct, counts 35%, a
“F-”.
The moral is that you need a fair number of points from other Activities to
do well in the course. The positive side is that if you get the maximum
credit for Activities you can have 107% for the class with no credit for
Quizzes at all!
Also, “Book” tests cannot be made up, but if you have sufficient points from
Activities even a bad “Book” test won’t matter.
ACTIVITIES / GROUPS
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE (NO ONE IS EXPECTED TO DO ALL
THESE!):
The "ACTIVITIES" are arranged in "GROUPS" of similar Activities.
There are MANY more Activities and more explanation on line.
Only one Activity from each Group can be done for credit during each Section
of the course.
The one exception to this is the Group 1 “Student Questions and Student
Answers to Student Questions”; any number of such submissions may count
during any Section, up to twenty points per Section.
 Activities don’t all count the same. Consider the points
possible when choosing which activity within a group to do.

You can get extra credit for Activities turned in during the
first day of each Section. They must be on the current
Topic, given in the Calendar (Home).
Group 1: Student Questions and Student Answers to
Student Questions
Ask or answer questions, I’ll generally wait a little to answer to let another
student answer or comment
.
5 points possible
No credit for topics covered in the course documentation, unless my writing
is too hard to understand!!
This is the only activity that can be done more than once in each Section.
Group 2: My Questions
Hint: Many (perhaps most) of my questions are intended to have you use the
concepts of SCIENCE and Physics discussed in the essay for the first Quiz:
“Bits about SCIENCE”.
If you haven’t studied this essay you are probably wasting your (and my)
time by answering my questions!
If you clearly have NOT studied this essay I may well subtract points!
Your answers must be based on clear definitions (preferably those used by
scientists!). I am interested in your opinions but they must be supported by
facts or clear definitions.

5-40 points
possible
GROUP 3: Help for the students and teacher
 URLs about Physics or Astronomy: Finding and discussing science
related web sites: first come first served! URL plus a paragraph or two
describing the web site and what you looked at and your reactions

10 points possible
 Suggestions about improving the class. Somewhat reasonable, first
come, first served. More if I actually use the suggestion.

15
points possible

Finder’s Fees: Points for finding out about coming lectures, local

museums, etc.
5 points possible
 Organize Study Groups, Chat Groups, or Field Trips 5 points to the
organizer on proof the activity is actually done.
GROUP 4: Experiments and Demonstrations
 “Do it yourself” lab that you do at home. Tell lots about what you tried,
what went wrong, what you fixed,. . . There must be some theory,
however simple, that is being checked or at least
investigated. You must explore the experiment and theory. “Explore”
means to change several of the variables and compare the results with
theory.

40 points possible
 Locate suitable experiments on the web. 10 points possible
 Do an interesting Demonstration: Like an experiment but no exploring
the results of changing the variables. 20 points possible
 Find a suitable Demonstration. 5 points possible
GROUP 5: Presentations
Constructing a Physics presentation for the class. Probably Power Point or
Face book but anything interesting will be fine. Group projects are good but
the results should be proportional to the number of students contributing!
Plain text is not satisfactory. Lots of graphics are needed!
The subject of the presentation must involve work done in the last six
months.
40 points possible
Home Page, Wiki, MySpace, Facebook, Podcast, . . .: Make a web page
etc. It must have several features useful to other students. If you keep
adding features you might get credit several times.
GROUP 6: NEWS
This must be as current as possible: for Newspapers, Web, Radio and TV it
must be dated the day you turn it in, for magazines it must be dated the same
Section.
Your text must be in your own words.
The level must be understandable for most of the class.
There must be a good reference.
Newspapers and magazines must be the paper variety not as reported on the
web!
You must supply a few sentences summary and your reactions.
Of course I don’t expect you to understand everything but I do expect you to
show that you thought about the news.
10 points possible
Newspaper Finding Physics or Astronomy news in the day’s newspaper.
Two sentence analysis!
Web: Finding Physics or Astronomy news (this day’s) on web sites.
URL plus two sentences analysis!
Magazine: Finding Physics or Astronomy news (this Section’s) in a
magazine.
TV: Reporting on today’s news from a TV program.
Radio: Like TV.
GROUP 7: Field Trips
At least two pages telling what, when, where, what you did or thought etc.
Supply evidence you were there if possible (pictures including you, tickets,
initials if I am there, convincing description of what you did or failed to do,
what the lecturer was like . . . ). About Physics or Astronomy. Good
references.
For lectures look up: Caltech - Watson Lectures; JPL - Theodore von
Kármán Lecture Series; Huntington Library; Griffith Observatory

Lecture:

40 points possible

Museum or Observatory Visit:

40 points possible
GROUP 8: Research on work done in the last six
months
Web research: Some topic using research that has been published during
the last four months. At least four sources (referenced properly within the
paper) and a discussion emphasizing what YOU think. At least two
pages.

40 points possible
Movies, TV, Web programs: Fact or fiction. You must analyze the
Science in the movie, for fiction discuss (with facts if possible) whether the
science is possible. The movie, or whatever, must have come out within the
last six months.
20 points possible
GROUP 9: The Fun of Physics
Mostly 10 points possible.
Physics jokes, extra for explaining the physics
Physics Poems, extra for explaining the physics
Physics one-liners, extra for explaining the physics .
Physics Games or Simulations: For maximum credit you must
explore the Game or Simulation and report what you tried, what
worked, what failed, what you learned, etc. ?
What happened today in the history of Physics? 5 points
I’ll post credit as soon as possible : )
GRADING SCALE:
85% = A-,
75% = B-,
60% = C-,
50% = D-
By doing lots of Activities you can get extra points for each Section, up to but
not exceeding the “Possible Points” shown in the table below.
Section
1, 2, 4
Activities
Multiple
Guess Quiz
3, 5
6
Final
Activities
Multiple
Guess Quiz
Book Test
Activities
Multiple
Guess Quiz
HOWEVER:
Nominal Points, Possible
for the grading Points
scale
100
120
120
80
Possible Percent
of the Total for the
class (550)
22
22
15
100
120
85
40
22
15.5
7
40
70
320
7
13
58
50
320
The maximum grade on the final part does not apply
currently
To get an A in the class you must get at least 85% for the
class AND at least a C (60%) on the Final
For example: If you get 55% on the final you will
not get an A in the class no matter how many points
you have  The best grade you can get is a B.
For a B in the class you need at least 75% for the class
AND at least a D (50%) on the Final
For a C in the class you need at least 60% for the class
AND at least 40% on the Final
For a D in the class you need at least 50% for the class
AND at least 40% on the Final.
Sample Work for a Hypothetical Student
Mary
This shows what Mary did for each Group or Discussion portion for the first two Sections
and what Grades her work earned.
Section 1- (100 points “possible”) First week for Winter/Summer, First
weeks for Spring/Fall
***Notice: Only one Activity per Group-per Section. Choose the topic that appeals most
to you but attempt at least one question from each group. Discussions points supplement the
quiz grade meaning, even if you do poorly on the quiz (40 out of 80) you can contribute to
the discussions and Activities to help your overall grade. Also, points roll over to the next
Section and will make more of an impact when the time comes to calculate your final grade.
We get out what we put in! Read other students posts and comment to get the most out of this
online class experience!!
Group 0: Students Helping Students, (5 points earned)
Group 1: Cheney's Questions, (Attempted but no points received.)
Group 2: Recommendations: great physics websites, finder's fee, study groups.
(10 points earned)
Group 3: Demonstrations and Experiments (Not attempted 0 points. )
Group 4: Power Point/ Facebook Presentations or web page creation (Not attempted 0
points)
Group 5: News- current events only! (10 points earned)
Group 6: In the Field- (Not attempted 0 points)
Group 7: Research Paper- (Not attempted 0 points)
Group 8: Physics Fun (phun:) (10 points earned)
Group 9: Chat! (No chat available 0 points)
*Group 10: Early Bird- (No 1st week submissions-0 Points)
Grades for Section 1:
Quiz 1: 40 points out of 80
Total discussion points: 35 out of 100 points earned.
Total points for Section 2: 75 of 100 points for full credit
"B-" grade in spite of getting only 40 of 80 on the Quiz...
Mary can see that she had better do more Activities (more Discussions or Groups)
and/or study more for the Quiz if she wants an A in the class.
*Bonus Points:
15 points for turning in work during the first week (or day for six week sessions) of
the Section (See Early Bird.)
Discussions points supplement the quiz grade meaning, even if you do poorly on the
quiz (40 out of 80) you can contribute to the discussions and Activities to help your
overall grade. Also, points will make an impact when the time comes to calculate your
final grade. We get out what we put in! Read other students posts and comment to get
the most out of this online class experience!!
Section 2- (100 points possible) Second week of winter/summer or second
set of weeks for spring/fall
***Notice: Only one Activity per Group-per Section.
Group 0: Students Helping Students, (15 points earned!)
Group 1: Cheney's Questions, (Not attempted 0 points)
Group 2: Recommendations: great physics websites, finder's fee, study groups.
(5 points earned)
Group 3: Demonstrations and Experiments (20 points earned )
Group 4: Power Point/ Facebook Presentations or web page creation (Not attempted 0
points)
Group 5: News- current events only! (10 points earned)
Group 6: In the Field- (Not attempted 0 points)
Group 7: Research Paper- (Not attempted 0 points)
Group 8: Physics Fun (phun:) (10 points earned)
Group 9: Chat! (Not attempted 0 points)
*Group 10: Early Bird- (15 Points earned)
Grades for Section 2:
Quiz 2: 40 points out of 80
Discussion points-Section 2: 75/100 points this Section.
Total points for Section 2: 115 points of 100 points for full credit
A+ for Section 2, extra points over 100 to help a bad Section!
Total points for Sections 1 and 2: 190/200 or 95%
A+ grade in spite of getting only 40 of 80 on the Quizzes!
*Bonus Points:
15 points for turning in work during the first week of the Section (See Early Bird.)
Marie’s extra work (doing Activities from more Groups) paid off, she now has an A+
for the class despite a pretty low Quiz score. The extra 15 points she earned for
Section 2 helped make up for her so-so Section 1.
Mary decides she had better practice more with the sample questions for the next
Quizzes.
Section 3- (100 points possible) Section still underway...
***Notice: Only one Activity per Group-per Section
Group 0: Students Helping Students, (15 points)
Group 1: Cheney's Questions, (20 points)
Group 2: Recommendations: great physics websites, finder's fee, study groups.
(10 points)
Group 3: Demonstrations and Experiments (20 points )
Group 4: Power Point/ Facebook Presentations or web page creation (0 points)
Group 5: News- current events only! (10 points)
Group 6: In the Field- (0 points)
Group 7: Research Paper- (0 points)
Group 8: Physics Fun (phun:) (0 points)
Group 9: Chat! (0 points)
*Group 10: Early Bird- (15 Points)
So far: 70/100 points earned for Section 3.
Quiz 3 Multiple Guess (40 points): not yet taken
Quiz 3 Feynman’s Book (40 points): 40 points, Mary read the book and
practiced with the sample questions.
WHY THE COURSE IS CONSTRUCTED
AS IT IS:
1. STUDENT CHOICE: Students can (mostly) use the learning method
that they are most comfortable with.
2. JUST ENOUGH CONCEPTS: To understand the headlines it is
necessary to have some background so the words are meaningful to you.
The Quizzes are intended to encourage you to get some background
knowledge of Physics and Science concepts without counting so much
that the class turns into an exercise in memorization. My essays are
intended to give bare bones coverage of the words and concepts. It is
expected that you will use Google and Wikipedia to clarify and enlarge
on my description.
3. LONG TERM BENEFITS: There seems little long term benefit in
learning enough to pass a test and promptly forgetting the material. This
class has a minimum of material (just enough to help understand the
headlines) but lots of Activities involving researching and using the
concepts. I hope the experience of researching, reading news, going to
lectures, finding jokes, going to museums, etc. will remain with you for
the rest of your life, and enrich the rest of your life. You won’t remember
the details but, I hope, you will remember the experiences and how to do
them again.
4. PAINLESS (ALMOST) REPETITION FOR LEARNING: One of the
few things known about learning is that repetition helps! I want you to
review the material (in the hope that this will help you retain some of the
material) for the final but, if you have done well so far, I don’t want the
final to stress you out. Therefore if you have points for an “A” (85%)
you only have to get a “C” on the final to get an “A” in the class. If you
are indeed an “A” student getting a “C” on the final should not be too
stressful! This doesn’t work in reverse, just getting a “C” on the final
won’t get you an “A” for the class, and you must also have points adding
up to 85%!
5. LEARNING BY DOING: Another “fact” about learning is that just
memorizing about information is pretty useless but actually dealing with
the information (reasoning with it, researching it, construction
presentations, etc.) does lead to really learning and internalizing the
material. Therefore most of the Activities involve not just quoting
information but actually using your own brain to reason with the
information to construct your own opinions.
6. LEARNING FROM FELLOW STUDENTS: Research also shows that
students don’t learn much, if anything, from teachers but that students do
learn by interacting with other students. (This is something that most
teachers familiar with the research results try to ignore.) In this class you
can interact with other students in Group 1, “Student Questions”,
organize do-it-yourself Field Trips, and in the Chat Room (Group 10). I
would welcome suggestions for more collaborative modes for students.
7. A SECOND CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT YOU HAVE
LEARNED: Sometimes enlightenment comes just too late, just after
each test  If this happens you do indeed know the material but don’t
have the grades to show it. So, if you do better on the final than you had
done on the quizzes I will reason that you now know the material and
replace your quiz results with your final results.
8. “MEETING” SOME REAL SCIENTISTS IN BOOKS: SCIENCE
was not found engraved on stone tablets but has resulted from lots of very
hard work by very bright people who are generally arguing with each
other as well as with nature. Despite movies and science fiction science
is not done by old men in white coats (usually) and is hardly ever done
easily and directly. The two books I want you to read will, in addition to
being fun to read, introduce you to two very real scientists and the way
THEY go about doing science. Perhaps you will find that reading science
books can be fun!
9. “MEETING” SOME REAL SCIENTISTS IN LECTURES: Here in
Pasadena we are blessed with many scientists who are the best in the
world in their field: They work at JPL, Caltech, The Carnegie Institute,
etc. Scientists from these and other intuitions regularly give lectures
intended for the public (that is you). You can see for yourself what real
world quality scientists look like and what they are up to.
10.
GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT TO TRY NEW THINGS:
If I can figure out how to program and display this!
You get a little extra credit for each Group of Activities that you try and get
credit for. If you only find URL’s (Group 2) and find jokes (Group 8)
you will only get a little of this extra credit, if you also answer other
student’s questions (Group 0) and find physics demonstrations (Group 3)
you will get twice as much extra credit.
SLO
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to....
1. Solve, basic problems dealing with mechanics, heat, sound,
electricity, optics, pressure effects and radioactivity.
2. Explain the nature of sound, light, and electricity.
3. Apply theoretical concepts of physics to household appliances and
to everyday practical situations.
4. Understand and explain the physical laws of nature.
1. Solve, basic problems dealing with mechanics, heat, sound,
electricity, optics, pressure effects and radioactivity.
2. Explain the nature of sound, light, and electricity.
3. Apply theoretical concepts of physics to household appliances and
to everyday practical situations.
4. Understand and explain the physical laws of nature.