An Active Learning Environment for Introductory Physics

物理学(13)物理系正在重组其物理入门课程。这个互动物理课堂项目通过在传统的实验室和授课结构中加强学生的互动，通过调整和实施三种已被证明比传统教学策略更有效的国家认可的教育做法来促进概念理解。(1)该项目正在将索科洛夫、劳斯和桑顿的实时物理整合到基于代数和微积分的入门实验室中，以创建基于探究的微型计算机实验室(MBL)S。(2)MBL也被整合到讲座中，采用桑顿和索科洛夫的互动讲座演示，为实验室工作提供了一座桥梁。(3)我们目前对Mazur的Peer指令的实现正在扩展到更多的班级部分，并使用ClassTalk风格的响应系统进行增强。这些改进为范围广泛的理科学生(每年约1800人)提供了基于积极的同龄人参与的丰富的学习环境。这些进步非常适合帮助学生适应日益以技术为导向的世界。在整个项目期间，正在使用标准测试工具、调查和访谈对该计划进行评估。结果正在为项目参与者提供持续的反馈，并通过出版物、会议和网络向普通物理学和教育界传播。此外，为了对南佛罗里达多样化的社区产生最广泛的影响，每年都会举行几次研讨会来描述这些技术。参与者来自当地大学和社区学院的教职员工，以及有能力影响潜在大学生的高中物理教师。

Physics (13) The Physics Department is restructuring its introductory physics classes. This Interactive Physics Classroom Project promotes conceptual understanding through enhanced student interaction within the traditional laboratory and lecture structure by adapting and implementing three nationally-recognized educational practices that have been demonstrated to be more effective than traditional instructional strategies. (1) The project is integrating Sokoloff, Laws, and Thornton's RealTime Physics into the introductory algebra- and calculus-based laboratories to create inquiry-based Microcomputer-Based Laboratories (MBL)s. (2) MBLs are also being integrated into the lectures, adapting Thornton and Sokolov's Interactive Lecture Demonstrations to provide a bridge to the laboratory work. (3) Our current implementation of Mazur's Peer Instruction is being expanded to additional class sections and enhanced with a ClassTalk-style response system. These improvements provide a broad range of science students (approximately 1,800 per year) with a rich learning environment based on active peer-based engagement. These advances are extremely well suited for helping students to adapt to the increasingly technology- oriented world. Evaluation of the program is being done throughout the project period using standard testing instruments, surveys, and interviews. Results are providing on-going feedback for the program participants and are also being disseminated to the general physics and education communities through publications, conferences, and the web. Additionally, to have the broadest impact on the diverse South Florida community, several workshops per year are being held to describe the techniques. Participants are from the local university and community college faculty, as well as high school physics teachers who are in the position to influence potential college students.