Physics! Blog!
teaching
Student views on No Physics Homework
I wrote earlier about not assigning specific homework in my classes, a move that I made starting in the 2nd semester last year. I was so happy about how it went last year that I basically continued the policy this year. On my course evaluations two weeks ago, I asked a couple of questions that … Continue reading
Student views on SBG (January 2012 edition)
This is my second year using this different grading paradigm (if you aren’t familiar with my flavor of grading, read: Conjunctive Standards-Based Grading). I’ve made some tweaks from my first run last year, and it feels like an established system that just happens in physics here (rather than a crazy new experiment). I’m hoping/planning to … Continue reading
Common Types of Forces (BFPM Cheat Sheet)
Before we can start building the Balanced Force Particle Model, we have to overcome some language problems. As was frequently said at the Modeling Workshop that I attended (and is repeated frequently in my classroom), “Physics is a foreign language that sounds just like English.” The word force is a prime offender, so we need to … Continue reading
Velocity Graphs into Equations
aka How to kill . Now that we’re pros (Wheaties box, here we come) at drawing velocity-vs-time graphs, we need to be able to turn those graphs into equations if we want to use them as tools for solving problems. One big stumbling block in solving constant acceleration (CAPM) problems is that, very very often, … Continue reading
The essential toolkit for a first time SBG implementer?
This question, “What do you think is the essential toolkit for a first time SBG implementer?” was posted in the comments on my last post. So after rambling a bit myself, I threw it over to Twitter to see what other people had to say. Here’s what I got. A lot of good advice! Know … Continue reading
Choose Your Test Flavor
After a recent Global Physics Department meeting about Standards-Based Grading (SBG), I got to thinking about how I would adapt my grading scheme if I taught more than 40 or 50 students per year (which many of the teachers at the meeting were/are doing). One idea that I had was about doing more of the … Continue reading
Momentum Bar Charts (IF Charts, IFF Charts)
Disclaimer: I most certainly did not come up with this type of diagram, though the name (IF charts) is probably unique to my classes since it’s based on the way one of my first Modeling Physics students drew her bar charts. This post is meant to be a how-to and a why-to guide for the … Continue reading
Building the Momentum Transfer Model
Note: This post details my version of the paradigm experiment for what is Unit 9 (Impulsive Force Model) of the Modeling Instruction Mechanics curriculum. My paradigm lab varies from the official materials, and my classes build this as their fifth model (after establishing Newton’s Laws but before considering energy transfer). Hey guys, bring a pencil and a whiteboard next … Continue reading
Building the Unbalanced Force Particle Model
Note: This post details my version of the paradigm experiment for what is Unit 5 (Constant Force Particle Model) of the Modeling Instruction Mechanics curriculum. My paradigm experiment is different from the official one (which uses a modified Atwood’s machine), and my students build this as their fourth model. Hey guys, I want to show you something cool. Bring … Continue reading
Building the Constant Acceleration Model
Note: This post details my version of the paradigm experiment for what is Unit 3 (Uniformly Accelerating Particle Model) of the Modeling Instruction Mechanics curriculum. My interpretation varies a bit from the official materials, and my classes build this as their third model and after they have seen Newton’s 1st and 3rd Laws. Hey guys, I want to show … Continue reading
