Improving Conceptual Understanding and Complex Problem Solving in General Physics

为了促进概念理解，提高解决问题的能力和提高学生的积极性，本项目将对印第安纳大学-普渡大学韦恩堡分校（IPFW）的两门普通物理课程进行三个协调的改变。这些变化包括适应和实施基于微机的实验室工具（Thornton和Sokoloff），作为实验室和讲座变化的基础。首先，课程的实验室将转变为(1)实验室技能发展（CPT实验室）和(2)复杂/现实问题（C/RW）实验室的结合，这些实验室将促进定性问题解决程序、实验设计、测量技术和数据分析。CPT实验室将改编自俄亥俄州立大学物理实验室手册（伯吉斯出版社出版）。， 1995年)，修改后纳入数据分析程序。将为每门课程开发六个C/RW问题实验室，这些实验室将使用交互物理对系统进行建模以供分析。第二个变化将是适应并在课程的课堂部分实施运动学、牛顿定律、旋转动力学、电场、电流、磁力和电磁感应的互动讲座演示。第三个变化将是四个复杂/现实世界问题的发展，这些问题也将用于课程的课堂部分。对项目的评估将侧重于学生的概念发展和定性问题解决能力。将制作一份带有讲师笔记的实验室手册，以便其他讲师可以实施这些材料。

In order to promote conceptual understanding, improve problem solving skills and increase student motivation, this project will make three coordinated changes in two general physics courses at Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). These changes include the adaptation and implementation of Microcomputer Based Laboratory tools (Thornton and Sokoloff) as the foundation for changes in the laboratories and lecture. First, the laboratories for the courses will be changed to a combination of (1) laboratory skill development (CPT laboratories) with (2) complex/real world problem (C/RW) laboratories which promote qualitative problem solving procedures, experiment design, measurement techniques and data analysis. The CPT laboratories will be adapted from Laboratory Manual for Physics from Ohio State University (Published by Burgess Pub., 1995) with modifications to incorporate data analysis procedures. Six C/RW problem laboratories for each course will be developed that incorporate the use of Interactive Physics in modeling the systems for analysis. The second change will be adaptation and implement Interactive Lecture Demonstrations on kinematics, Newton's Laws, rotational dynamics, electric field, electric current, magnetic force and electromagnetic induction for the class segment of the course. The third change will be the development of four complex/real world problems also for use in the class segment of the courses. Evaluation of the project will focus on conceptual development and qualitative problem solving skills of the students. A laboratory manual with instructor's notes will be produced so other instructors can implement these materials.