Physics Resources Packets as a Pathway to Tomorrow's Education

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology（RHIT）及其在NSF赞助的“基金会联盟”（FC）中的伙伴机构处于工程和科学教育创新的最前沿。例如，RHIT利用符号代数和其他功能强大的软件开发了一个开创性的“综合”大一课程。这一课程现在经常通过合作小组活动进行主动学习。然而，在将“综合”课程等项目的创新带到大二和随后的几年里，却做得很少。技术的发展越来越快（1995年秋季，所有进入RHIT的新生都将被要求使用笔记本电脑），这使得教育必须跟上即将到来的变化。 RHIT/FC物理教师将为基础和高级物理课程开发“资源包”，这将激发新生对创新的吸收。高级物理学软件联合会（CUPS）模拟和文本将于1995年提供;它们将是数据包的主要和及时的增强资源。物理教师将有练习和新的方法和技术的例子在他们的指尖。大二学生会发现他们的物理课程经常有作业，这需要他们作为新生学到的技能的延续。这些数据包每年将影响RHIT的600多名学生。 评估和修订将在整个项目中不断进行。 大力宣传工作将包括利用会议、专业期刊、讲习班和电子邮件。

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) and its fellow institutions in the NSF sponsored 'Foundation Coalition' (FC) are at the forefront of innovations in engineering and science education. RHIT has, for example, developed a pioneering 'integrated' freshman year curriculum utilizing symbolic algebra and other powerful software. This curriculum now regularly employs active learning through cooperative group work. Little has been done, however, to carry innovations from programs like the 'integrated' curriculum into the sophomore and succeeding years. Technology is advancing ever more rapidly (in the fall of 1995 laptop computers will be required of all entering RHIT freshman), making it imperative that education be abreast of coming changes. RHIT/FC physics faculty members will develop 'resource packets' for basic and advanced physics courses which will galvanize the uptake of freshman year innovations. Consortium for Upper-Level Physics Software (CUPS) simulations and text will be available in 1995; they will be a major and timely enhancement resource for the packets. Physics instructors will have exercises and examples in the new methodologies and technologies at their fingertips. Sophomores will find their physics courses regularly featuring assignments which require a continuation of the skills they learned as freshmen. The packets will impact over 600 students per year at RHIT alone. Assessment and revision will occur continuously throughout the project. Vigorous dissemination efforts will include use of conferences, professional journals, workshops, and electronic mail.