The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G....
-
Upload
emory-richardson -
Category
Documents
-
view
212 -
download
0
Transcript of The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G....
![Page 1: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is
Leaving the Station:
Please Get on Board Now!
Robert G. FullerUniversity of Nebraska - Lincoln
AndPaul Peter Urone
California State University Sacramento
![Page 2: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Howes, R. and Hilborn, R.
"Winds of Change"Amer. J. Phys., 68(5), 401-2,
2000.
Physics Reform is Needed
![Page 3: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Our Situation has Changed!
![Page 4: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
• Physics has expanded numerous subfields.
• The public views no longer the frontiers of science as physics.
• The educational environment has changed.
• Client disciplines consider teaching physics.
• The number of undergraduate physics majors is below pre-Sputnik levels while the total number of undergraduates has doubled.
![Page 5: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
1 . A wide spectrum of physicists recognize the need for change, but many still do not.
2. The fundamental unit of change is the department.
3. An undergraduate physics program is more than just the curriculum.
4. Every physics department is different.
The new environment is unlikely to return to its state of 30-some years ago. It may take sustained efforts on many fronts before we see substantial results.
How is this need for reform related to our life-science students?
Four principles to guide our response:
![Page 6: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Major Types of Introductory Physics Courses
• Conceptual— some algebra
• College Physics— algebra/trig
• University Physics— calculus
![Page 7: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Student Demographics
• Gender
• Class standing
• Academic Major/Career Goals
![Page 8: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Gender
• Algebra/trig49% Female 51% Male
• Calculus20% Female 80% Male
![Page 9: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Class Standing
• Algebra / trigFrosh Soph Jr Sr
8% 30% 41% 21%
• Calculus Frosh Soph Jr Sr
58% 21% 10% 11%
![Page 10: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Academic Major/Career Goals
• Algebra / trigHlth Cr Science Engin Other
70% 19% 1% 10%
• Calculus Hlth Cr Science Engin Other
8% 21% 62% 9%
![Page 11: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
The Need for Applications in Teaching and Learning
• PER
• Student Response
• Calculus Reform
• Textbook Evolution
![Page 12: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Physics Education Research
• Content Rich
• Conceptual Aspects
• Modeling
• Exploration
![Page 13: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Student Response
• Anecdotal
• Course Evaluations
• Surveys
What lessons can we learn from the calculus reform movement?
![Page 14: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Calculus Reform(They were there first)
• Pump, Not a Filter
• Lean and Lively
• Mathematical Modeling (4 modes)• Graphical, numerical, functional, verbal
• Curriculum Reform and Textbook Evolution -Nationally!
![Page 15: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Textbook EvolutionAlgebra/Trig Physics
• Blocks and Pulleys Became Skiers and Elevators
• Worked Examples
• Other Pedagogical Advances
• Student-Relevant Applications
![Page 16: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
The Need for Life-Science Applications
• Calculus-Based Physics
• Algebra/trig-Based Physics
• Textbook Trends
• Humanizing Physics Project (An Example)
![Page 17: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
HPPThe Humanized Physics
Project
• NSF Funded Nebraska, Doane, Texas Tech, Mercy
• Teaching Modules
• Flexible Teaching Modalities
• www.doane.edu/hpp/
![Page 18: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
A Few Examples of Life-Science Applications
• Muscles, Bones and Joints• Oxygen Diffusion to the Cornea• Heat Transfer and Warm-Blooded Animals• Diagnostic and Therapeutic Ultrasound• Nerve Impulses• Vision• MRI• Ionizing Radiation…..
![Page 19: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Where to FindAdditional Life-Science
Applications• The Physics Teacher• AAPT meetings• Most Algebra/trig texts• HPP Modules
www.doane.edu/hpp/
What issues confront the algebra-based physics reform movement?
![Page 20: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Obstacles• High School Physics
Often viewed as engineering prep
Physics First would change this!!
• University instructors perceivedunfamiliarity with life science applications
• Lack of a national consensus on topics to add, topics to omit, topical sequence and level of presentation.
• Lack of an agreed upon mechanism by which to affect reform.
What should we do next?
![Page 21: The Algebra-based Physics Reform Train Is Leaving the Station: Please Get on Board Now! Robert G. Fuller University of Nebraska - Lincoln And Paul Peter.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f2a5503460f94c44c6f/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
•Board the Train!
• Visit the websitewww.doane.edu/hpp/
• Share your ideas
• Take a handout