Physics Laboratory Computerized Data Acquisition and Analysis

这个项目的主要目标是帮助初学物理的学生完成从高中到大学物理教学的过渡。通过在强调直接观察和学生积极参与的环境中提供物理教学，帮助学生对自己的学习负责。詹姆斯敦社区学院已经很好地整合了实验室，在每个实验台上增加了计算机数据采集系统，从而加强了实验室。学生们两人一组或三人一组，通过直接测量力、运动、温度、位移、磁场等，并使用计算机工具，如电子表格、数学和图形包，以及由塔夫茨大学科学思维工具设计的数据采集软件，使用该设备验证物理定律。此外，一个名为Mathematica的强大的数学和绘图程序也被用来帮助学生处理困难的数学概念。通过这个项目，学院正在建立必要的实验室资源，以逐步向以观察为基础的方法过渡，这与物理学作为一门以观察为基础的学科的本质是一致的。九台配备了Vernier uli数据采集板和分析软件的麦金塔ii型电脑，正与一台Quadra 900联网，后者运行的是早些时候购买的Mathematica 2.0。这个项目是在与几所学院和大学的教师协商后设计的。这种合作将增加项目成功和复制的机会。

The primary goal of this project is to help beginning physics students make the transition from high school to college physics instruction. The student are being helped to take responsibility for his/her own learning by providing physics instruction in an environment with a heavy emphasis on direct observation and active student involvement. The already well- integrated laboratories at Jamestown Community College are being enhanced by the addition of computer data acquisition systems at each lab bench. Students, working in pairs or threes, are using this equipment to verify the laws of physics, by directly measuring force, motion, temperature, displacement, magnetic fields, etc., and by using computer tools such as spreadsheets, mathematical and graphics packages, and data acquisition software designed by Tools for Scientific Thinking at Tufts University. Furthermore, a powerful mathematics and graphing program called Mathematica is also being used to help students deal with difficult mathematics concepts. Via this project the college is building the laboratory resources necessary to move gradually toward a heavily observation-based approach to introductory physics, consistent with the nature of physics as an observation-based discipline. Nine Macintosh IIsi computers, equipped with Vernier U.L.I. data acquisition boards and analysis software, are being networked to a Quadra 900, which runs Mathematica 2.0, which was purchased earlier. This project has been designed in consultation with faculty at several colleges and universities. This cooperation should enhance the chances of project success and replication.