A Computer-Based Laboratory-Classroom for Active Learning In Introductory Physics and Astronomy

奥斯汀学院物理系正在采用多种来源的主动学习技术，用于一个新的小型多功能教室实验室，用于物理学和天文学入门教学。在我们的两个学期的微积分为基础的物理学导论，我们正在适应和实施普丽西拉法律在迪金森学院开发的物理车间。同样的教室实验室空间，配备了17台联网的Macintosh G3计算机，最多可容纳32名学生，是一个基于代数的入门物理课程的网站，我们正在实施和调整同伴教学技术（Mazur，1997）。真实的时间学生互动是通过更好的教育公司开发的一个试验网络版本的Classtalk实现的。 我们正在改编由Sokoloff，Thornton和Laws开发的实时物理套件中的实验，以便在本课程中使用，以便将它们与每周的物理车间时间表同步。我们使用适当的评估工具，如广泛使用的概念评估，以监测我们的努力，使结果通过物理会议，网页，并在适当的期刊文章。同一设施用于在非科学家的一学期天文学入门课程中调整和实施基于活动的材料。具体来说，我们正在适应和扩大由保罗绿色在哈佛天体物理中心开发的同伴指导技术，发现基于天文学活动（罗宾斯等。例如，1995年），以及CLEA项目（葛底斯堡学院马歇尔）开发的天文学模块。

The Austin College Department of Physics is adapting active-learning techniques from several sources for use in a new small multipurpose classroom-laboratory in the teaching of introductory physics and astronomy. In our two-semester calculus-based Introduction to Physics we are adapting and implementing Workshop Physics developed by Priscilla Laws at Dickinson College. The same classroom-laboratory space, equipped with seventeen networked Macintosh G3 computers accommodating a maximum of thirty-two students, is the site of an algebra-based introductory physics course in which we are implementing and adapting the Peer Instruction technique (Mazur, 1997). Real time student interactivity is achieved through a trial networked version of Classtalk developed by Better Education Inc. We are adapting experiments from the RealTime Physics suite developed by Sokoloff, Thornton and Laws for use in this course so as to bring them into synchrony with the Workshop Physics weekly schedule. We use appropriate evaluation instruments, such as the widely-used conceptual assessments, to monitor our efforts making the results available via physics meetings, web pages, and articles in appropriate periodicals. The same facility is used to adapt and implement activity-based materials in a one-semester introduction to astronomy for non-scientists. Specifically, we are adapting and expanding upon the peer instruction techniques developed by Paul Green at the Harvard Center for Astrophysics, the discovery based astronomy activities (Robbins, et. al., 1995), and astronomy modules developed by Project CLEA (Marshall at Gettysburg College).