Physics Learning Laboratory

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This project is equipping a learning laboratory for the introductory and intermediate level physics laboratory classes which will encourage active participation by students in the learning process. Students have been enthusiastic about the use of "own-plans" lab projects in the introductory courses. This approach has led to their engagement with the material and to increased understanding both of the material covered and of the scientific approach to problem solving. The equipment being acquired includes two fully equipped 386-based computer workstations, each with general purpose AID converter and various probes; a computer-controlled videodisc system; two video cam-corders and two computer-assisted video-tape players. This equipment will enable the department to expand on the "own-plans" idea, extending it to the intermediate laboratory courses for physics majors, increasing the range of experiments students can do, and exposing them to modern instrumentation and current methods of data acquisition and analysis.NSF grant funds are being matched with funds from non-federal sources.