New Technology for Introductory Physics

狄金森的物理系在研讨会环境中教授入门物理课程。物理工作坊的学生通过直接观察和计算机作为数据收集、数据分析和数值问题解决的主要工具来学习物理，而不是参加讲座。助学金提供的设备允许学生使用现有的Macintosh SE计算机系统通过录像、数字化和分析顺序事件来探索二维运动。使用软件、工作站、Macintosh SE计算机增强功能和局域网设备，使物理入门学生能够定期使用符号计算机语言，如数学。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更一般的行为联系起来。作为这一实验室改进计划的结果，目前正在编制的《讲习班物理活动指南》正在得到加强，以便向其他学院和大学传播，以便包括能够利用更多通用设备和软件开展的活动。该学院正在将NSF的拨款与同等数额的资金相匹配。

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.