Adapting Proven Active Learning Techniques and Internet Technology to Undergraduate General Physics (1200 students)

物理学（13）大量理科学生报名参加普通物理学，该课程以传统的讲座/背诵形式教授，具有高损耗，不冷不热的评价和教师对学生学习的不满。相比之下，罗格斯大学全国公认的120名学生的扩展普通物理，使用合作学习研讨会和其他技术，在减少摩擦，提高热情，并将有风险的学生的表现提高到与常规课程相当的水平方面取得了显着的成功。这个项目正在以一种成本效益高、可持续的方式将一些合作学习技术应用于普通物理。所涵盖的主题减少;讲座更具互动性，强调重要的概念。基于互联网的家庭作业和评分用于上课前的“及时”测验（以鼓励课本阅读）和研讨会前的家庭作业。复习课被利用合作解决更复杂问题的研讨会所取代，这些问题需要综合概念和高级问题解决技能。实验与课程紧密结合，从“食谱”形式转变为明确的指示和更一般化的问题，要求学生做出合理的假设，并设计自己的程序。截面尺寸较小。该项目正在调整现有的研讨会和实验室课件，以适应这种新的教学模式。将在一次关于入门物理学的区域会议上传播成果，预期成果是加强长期学习和提高士气。罗格斯大学的学生在种族和民族上是高度多样化的。在目前的项目中，从几个不同的角度以协调的方式处理材料，以达到不同学习风格的学生。预计这一办法特别有助于提高少数民族学生和妇女的成绩，并鼓励他们进入并坚持从事科学职业。

Physics (13) Large numbers of science students enroll in general physics that is taught in a conventional lecture/recitation format with high attrition, lukewarm evaluations, and faculty dissatisfaction with student learning. In contrast Rutgers' nationally recognized 120-student Extended General Physics, using cooperative learning workshops and other techniques, has shown remarkable success in reducing attrition, promoting enthusiasm, and raising the performance of at-risk students to levels comparable to that of the regular course. This project is adapting a number of cooperative learning techniques to general physics in a cost effective, sustainable fashion.The project is making multiple changes. Topics covered are reduced; lectures are more interactive, emphasizing important concepts. Internet-based homework assignment and grading are used for a "Just in Time" quiz due prior to lecture (to encourage textbook reading) and pre-workshop homework. Recitations are replaced with workshops that utilize cooperative solution of more complex problems requiring synthesis of concepts and advanced problem solving skills. Labs are closely integrated with the course and shifted from a "recipe" format to a blend of explicit instructions and more generalized questions requiring students to make reasonable assumptions and design their own procedure. Section size is smaller. The project is adapting existing workshop and lab courseware to this new mode of instruction. Results will be disseminated in a regional conference on introductory physics.Expected outcomes are enhanced, long-term learning and improved morale. Rutgers students are highly diverse, racially and ethnically. In the current project, material are treated in a coordinated fashion from several different points of view in order to reach students with different learning styles. This approach is expected particularly to enhance the performance of minority students and women and to encourage their entry into and persistence in science-based careers.