Teaching and Learning Physics
week 2 assignments

(like I said, I'm going to put much of this on e-reserves, but until then)

Tues 8/31:

Teaching Physics - Redish- pp  5- 15

McDermott, “How We Teach and How Students Learn - A mismatch?” AJP 61(4), (1993),  p295,

Van Heuvelen, A., “Learning to think like a physicist: A review of research-based instructional  strategies”, Am. J. Phys. 59 (1991) 891-897.

Reminder from the syllabus: Each week you are expected to write a paragraph summary of each paper/ reading, and to list out 3 questions, or points of interest that the paper brought up.  These will be handed in and returned to you.

While, I will lead the first week or two of readings, it will quickly be handed over to you to lead the discussions for the class.  We will have students sign up to lead the discussion once or twice over the course of the term.  These weeks you should be prepared to present a 5-10 min summary of the paper, and bring in some points of discussion for the class.

Thurs 9/2:

Introductory Physics Text (of your choosing) - Electric Charge. For example, Halliday Resnick, Walker (6th edition) pp 505 -518.

Three problems of your chosing from the LON CAPA set for the first homework set for 1120.

Reminder from the syllabus:

• write a 1 paragraph / short outline of the physics content covered for the week.
• Select 3 of the homework problems from the LON-CAPA set for phys 1120 and:
  • Solve the problem
  • Describe the solution process you used
  • Describe what physics content was needed from this section / other sections
  • Evaluate the problem: was this a good problem, mediocre problem, or a bad problem.  Consider this problem both for content and pedagogical value.

Physics homework is due Thursday in class.