UNL Research in Physics Education Group

Multimedia General College Physics Laboratories *

Vicki L. Plano Clark, Christopher J. Moore, Robert G. Fuller, and Charles R. Lang.

* This work has been supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, UNL, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Education.

The Research in Physics Education Group at UNL has developed multimedia laboratories for its introductory physics courses. The new course structure strives to take what has been shown best in physics educational research and combined it with a strong commitment to the use of multimedia tools to increase student learning.

Following the educational works of Robert Karplus and Jean Piaget, the laboratory period is organized around the Learning Cycle. The typical lesson format includes:

* Exploration Activity/Invention Discussion

* (3) Applications

* Assessment

That is, each lab period is divided into five different activities. The first, which is called the Exploration, gives students a hands-on opportunity to explore the fundamental concept(s) of the lesson. After completing and discussing (Invention) this exploration, students complete three Applications based on the physics concept(s). Each application activity is done at one of three types of learning centers. These learning centers are:

* Hands-on (HO)

* Interactive video (IV)

* Microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL)

Each student, working in a group of three, completes a separate activity at each of these kinds of learning centers in a single lab period. Note that the three stations are not done in a predetermined order. The learning centers represent the real strength behind these new laboratories. Each of the three centers has its own particular advantages in helping students study physics and scientific techniques plus the students benefit from the repetition of looking at the concept three different times during each laboratory period.

Finally, there is an Assessment activity at the end of each lesson to allow the lab instructor and the student to assess what was studied and learned during the lesson. (Note that the assessment activities are not included in the lab manual. We have been making them up as needed at UNL.)

Multimedia Learning Centers:

Hands On



Equipment: traditional collection of carts, ramps, springs, beakers, etc.

At the HO learning center, students work through activities based on traditional hands on laboratory experiments. While studying the physics, they are also building their data taking, calculator, and graphing skills.

Microcomputer-based Laboratory



Equipment: computer, interface, probe-ware (including motion sensor, force probe, temperature sensor, etc.), data acquisition & display software

At the MBL learning center, students use the power of the computer to aid their understanding and intuition for basic physics principles, especially relating to graphical manipulation and interpretation. Students are able to collect and display data in real time. The speed of the computer also lets them change parameters and redo an experiment in a short amount of time. Typical experiments include graphically displaying the motion of an object (such as a student's body), measuring impulse by determining the time over which a varying force is applied, and determining mathematical relations between quantities of interest.

Interactive Video



Equipment: videodisc player, monitor, bar code reader, transparency sheets and marking pens

Students are able to apply their study of physics to real-world applications by using interactive video. These real-life images can be more interesting and thus motivate students and help train them to study and question the world around them. The videodisc player also allows events to be brought in the classroom which would otherwise be too dangerous, too big, or too fast. Examples of such applications include the work done in shooting an arrow, the impulse felt in a car collision, and the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Note:

Lab manuals can be purchased from The Learning Team (details to come)