Resource Page

 

Inquiry and Effective Tech in Physics

EARCOS Teacher's Conference 2006

 

Links

Inquiry

There are some great resources on Inquiry-Oriented Science Instruction at the Illinois State University Teacher Education website. 

 

Interfaces and Sensors

·        Vernier Physics Page

·        Their lab book, Physics with Computers

  • Pasco Scientific makes all kinds of science equipment, including a full line of interfaces, sensors, and software.

·        Pasco Probeware

·        Extensive physics experiments using their interfaces

 

Contents of the Handout Packet

1)        Condensed Outline (see below)

2)        Key Differences: Cookbook Versus Inquiry Labs (.pdf)

3)        iTech Lab: Skydivers (.doc)

4)        Example 1a Vernier Lab: Air Resistance (.pdf)

5)        Example 1b Pasco Lab: Dropping Ball (.html)

6)        iTech Lab: Galile-ic (.doc)

7)        Example 2 Vernier Lab: Determining g on an Incline

8)        iTech Lab: Isaac Who? (.doc)

9)        iTech Lab: m-Cow (.doc)

10)  iTech Lab: Train Wreck (.doc)

11)  iTech Lab: Nuclear Sleuth (.doc)

 

Inquiry and Effective Tech in Physics:

The Presentation [view or download the powerpoint]

 

Condensed Outline

 

·        The Inquiry / Constructivist Model

 

·        Activities Employing Inquiry

 

·        Examples of Activities Employing Inquiry

 

·        Inquiry Labs

 

·        Lab Interfaces

 

·        Integrating Tech with Inquiry

 

·        Activity: iTech Lab Skydivers

 

 

Expanded Outline

 

The Inquiry / Constructivist Model

 

How do we learn? 

  • The Constructivist Model is a framework for understanding how our brains learn.
  • Constructivism views learning as a process in which the learner actively constructs new ideas based upon current and past knowledge.
  • Learning involves constructing one’s own knowledge from one’s own experiences.
  • The teacher acts as a facilitator who encourages students to discover principles for themselves and to construct knowledge by working to solve realistic problems, usually in collaboration with others.
  • Labs: solving realistic problems in collaboration with others.

 

Activities Employing Inquiry

  • Model the scientific process
  • Make students scientists
  • Are the most effective teaching activities for real student learning (if you believe the Constructivist viewpoint)
  • However, inquiry skills must be taught to students.

 

Examples of Activities Employing Inquiry

  • Discovery Learning
  • Interactive Demos
  • Inquiry Lessons
  • Inquiry Labs
  • These are all in search of the “aha!” moment

 

Inquiry Labs

Problem

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

Teacher

Student

Method

Teacher

Teacher

Student

Student

Student

Answer

Teacher

Student

Teacher

Student

Student

Level

0

1

1

2

3

                              - - > try to go this way - - >

                           Inquiry is student-centered

 

 

Lab Interfaces: Vernier and Pasco

 

Lab Interfaces: Sensors Useful in Physics
  • Accelerometer
  • Barometer
  • Charge Sensor
  • Colorimeter
  • Current Probe
  • Differential Voltage Probe
  • Digital Control Unit (Robotics)
  • Force Sensor
  • Force Plate
  • Gas Pressure Sensor
  • Light Sensor
  • Magnetic Field Sensor
  • Microphone
  • Motion Detector
  • Photogate
  • Radiation Monitor
  • Rotary Motion Sensor
  • Sound Level Meter
  • Spectrometer
  • Temperature Probe
  • Thermocouple
  • UV Sensor
  • Voltage Probe

 

Advantages over Traditional Methods

  • Allows for some investigations impossible otherwise
  • Easier data collection (when a lot of data is gathered)
  • Real-time measurement
  • Easy graph production
  • Gives students more experience with computers
  • Can save money
  • Cool

 

Choices for Setup

  • Computers: big screens are great

·        Old ones work fine

·        Fixed-location

·        Rollers

·        Laptops

·        Networking: take it or leave it

  • Handhelds (Palms)
  • No Computers (Pasco GLX)

 

Lab Interfaces

  • Be realistic
  • Understand your lab and decide if using sensors and computers will help
  • Inquiry is more important than computers

 

 

Integrating Tech with Inquiry

 

Interface Company-Developed Labs

  • Make it easier to use the interfaces
  • Very specific
  • Use custom software templates
  • Are relatively “plug and play”
  • Tend to be very “cookbook”
  • Are usually inquiry level 1, but often 0
  • Are not very interesting
  • Are not terribly engaging

 

Converting to Inquiry

  • Trim to the essentials
  • Give guidelines about the use of the specific sensor(s)
  • Make your own templates
  • Don’t give it all away!

 

Before the Lab

  • Be sure the lab is “doable” but not easy
  • Demo the sensors so kids can forego the detailed instructions
  • Be sure they have the necessary topical background knowledge
  • Time the lab in the unit so they aren’t too familiar with the material
  • DO IT YOURSELF

 

During the Lab

  • When they ask questions, either don’t answer or ask more questions
  • Ask leading questions when they seem to be going astray
  • Ensure lab groups are complementary and allow for “espionage” if necessary
  • Don’t give it all away!

 

Lab Reports

  • Can be formal or informal
  • Data and graphs are printable
  • Focus on procedures: proper experimental design
  • Proper experimental design
  • Appropriate number of trials
  • Focus on error analysis
  • Allow anything that can be justified
  • Don’t get hung up on “bad” results
  • Give extension questions.

 

Activity

iTech Lab Skydivers

Topics that need to have been covered

  • Motion graphing
  • Free fall
  • Free-body diagrams
  • The idea of terminal velocity

 

Necessary Software Skills

  • Linear regression
  • Scaling
  • Graph setup and printing