New Technology for Introductory Physics

迪金森的物理系教授入门物理学 在车间设置的课程。 而不是参加讲座，研讨会 物理学生通过使用直接观察和 计算机作为数据收集、数据分析和 数值问题解 设备提供的赠款允许 学生通过录像，数字化， 并使用现有的Macintosh SE计算机分析序列事件 系统. 软件、工作站、Macintosh SE计算机增强功能， 和局域网设备是用来让入门物理学生， 使用符号计算机语言，如数学上的规则 基础 这使学生能够将实验结果与 从理论推导出的函数的更抽象和一般的行为。 由于这一实验室改进方案，讲习班 目前正在编写供散发的物理学活动指南 到其他学院和大学的机会正在增加， 通过更通用的设备和软件使活动成为可能。 该学院正在将NSF的赠款与等量的资金相匹配。

The Physics Department of Dickinson teaches its introductory physics courses in a workshop setting. Instead of attending lectures, Workshop Physics students learn physics by using direct observations and the computer as a primary tool for data collection, data analysis, and numerical problem solution. The Equipment provided by the grant allows students to explore two-dimensional motion by videotaping, digitizing, and analyzing sequenced events using existing Macintosh SE computer systems. Software, a Workstation, Macintosh SE computer enhancements, and LAN equipment are used to allow introductory physics students to use a symbolic computer language such as Mathematics on a regular basis. This allows students to relate the results of experiments to more abstract and general behavior of functions derivable from theory. As a result of this laboratory improvement program, the Workshop Physics Activity Guides currently under development for dissemination to other colleges and universities are being enhanced to include activities made possible with more versatile equipment and software. The college is matching the NSF grant with an equal amount of funds.