Physics Resources Packets as a Pathway to Tomorrow's Education

罗斯-霍尔曼理工学院（RHIT）及其在美国国家科学基金会（NSF）资助的“基金会联盟”（FC）中的伙伴机构处于工程和科学教育创新的前沿。例如，RHIT开发了一个开创性的“综合”大一课程，利用符号代数和其他强大的软件。该课程现在经常采用小组合作的主动学习方式。然而，在将“综合”课程等项目的创新引入大二及以后的几年方面，学校做得很少。科技进步越来越快（1995年秋季，所有进入RHIT的新生都需要笔记本电脑），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”，以激发大一新生对创新的吸收。1995年将提供高级物理软件联盟的模拟和文本；它们将是数据包的主要和及时的增强资源。物理教师将掌握新方法和新技术的练习和实例。大二的学生会发现他们的物理课程经常有作业，这些作业需要延续他们在大一学到的技能。这些包每年将影响到RHIT的600多名学生。评估和修订将在整个项目中持续进行。积极的传播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.