FIU PERG Annotated Suggested Readings

Suggested Readings and Materials in Physics Education

This is a guide to literature and materials on physics education research, active learning and research-based curriculum. This is not meant to be a complete survey of the literature, but rather suggestions for readings that would be useful to teachers of introductory physics. McDermott and Redish’s resource letter on physics education research listed below is a good referencefor those interested in a more thorough survey of the physics education research literature.

Arons’ Teaching Introductory Physics is an especially useful resource for physics teachers. Drawing on Arons' extensive classroom experience, this is an excellent reference on the nature of student difficulties in introductory physics classes and on teaching methods he has found to be effective. It is a very broad introduction to the issues of introductory physics instruction as well as a source of more conceptual problems to supplement the text. This book includes Arons' previously published instructor references A Guide to Introductory Physics and Homework and Test Questions for Introductory Physics Teaching with some additions.

(References marked with a * are good entry points into the literature.)

General Readings on Physics Education and the Introductory Physics Class

Research-based Physics Curricula & Materials

Collaborative Learning

Preconceptions and Student Learning

Cognitive Science and Expectations

Assessment & Evaluation Studies

Additional Computer and Web Resources

7. Additional Computer and Web Resources

ActivPhysics Online (Pearson-Addison Wesley)

ActivPhysics is a comprehensive multimedia-problem package designed to supplement introductory physics courses that emphasizes problem solving (college calculus-based physics and algebra-based physics, and high school honors and AP physics). ActivPhysics OnLine provides hundreds of applets, simulations, and self-help inquiry-based exercises. Online at http://www.masteringphysics.com/. Also described in (2) Research-based Physics Curricula under Alps.

PhET (Physics Education Technology) Simulations

Fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena from the Physics Education Technology project at the University of Colorado.These are very good simulations covering a range of introductory physics topics. The simulations allow for a high degree of user control to see what happens when different variables are changed. Available online at http://phet.colorado.edu/new/index.php

Physlets and other Applets

Java-applets used to create simulations that can be used for demonstrations, activities, or problem solving

Information on Physlets is available online at http://webphysics.davidson.edu/Applets/Applets.html and http://webphysics.davidson.edu/jitt/jitt_at_davidson.html

Related Readings:

S.W. Bonham, J.S. Risley and W. Christian, “Using Physlets to teach electrostatics,” The Physics Teacher (submitted)

TIPERS - Tasks Inspired by Physics Education Research

A set of iteractive-engagement activities that can be used with high school and undergraduate introductory physics classes

Online at http://tycphysics.org/tipers.htm

WebAssign

WebAssign is a commercial homework database, delivery and grading system that allows instructors to assign multiple-choice, numeric, and essay problems over the web. Students submit responses over the web and in most cases receive immediate feedback to see if their answer is correct. This is a particularly useful resource for instructors who lack time for grading and graduate teaching assistants. Information on WebAssign can be found online at http://wwwassign.physics.ncsu.edu/. Additional information can be in A.P. Titus, L.W. Martin, and R.J. Beichner, “Web-based testing in physics education: Methods and opportunities,” Computers in Physics 12 (2), 117-123 (1998) and L. Guernsey, “Textbooks and tests that talk back,” Chronicle of Higher Education, Feb 12, 1999.

Useful Links

PIRA (the Physics Instructional Resource Association)
http://maxwell.phys.csufresno.edu:8001/pirapub/
PIRA exists to serve the needs of Physics Instructional Support Professionals through sharing ideas about demonstrations, laboratory activities, learning centers, and instructional resources in general. PIRA publishes a newsletter about every 2 months year-round with information about PIRA activities, tips to make demonstrations and labs more effective, and ideas for managing teaching centers, demonstration and laboratory facilities. Some current activities of PIRA include the demonstration classification scheme, a large demonstration design project, and a professional concerns committee. Reply to (rogerk@zimmer.csufresno .edu) for more information about the newsletter.

American Association of Physics Teachers
http://www.aapt.org/

APS Forum on Education
http://www.research.att.com/~kbl/APS/

Alan Cairn’s Physics Education Resources http://www.hpcc.astro.washington.edu/scied/physics.html

Physics Education E-mail Discussion Groups
http://www-hpcc.astro.washington.edu/scied/physics/physlists.html

The Internet Pilot TO Physics
http://physicsweb.org/TIPTOP/

Physics Education Research Articles Online
http://www.physics.umd.edu/rgroups/ripe/perg/perow.html

University of Maryland PER Group List of Physics Education Resources
http://www.physics.umd.edu/perg/

University of Massachussetts PER Group Outreach
http://WWW-PERG.PHAST.UMASS.EDU/outreach/default.html

University of Nebraska Research in Physics Education
http://www.physics.unl.edu/research/rpeg/rpeg.html