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Workshop Physics: An Activity-Based Curriculum Enhanced by Computer Tools

Received: 1 June 2021    Accepted: 22 June 2021    Published: 29 June 2021
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Abstract

Workshop Physics, initiated by P. W. Laws and her colleagues at Dickinson College, is an activity-based collaborative-learning curriculum enhanced by using computer tools for data acquisition, display and analysis, during which students experience various learning activities including predictions, qualitative observations, quantitative experiments, mathematical modeling and problem solving, etc. The curriculum was formally established when the Workshop Physics team was awarded a two-year grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Science Education. As a more flexible and comprehensive set of activity-based curricular materials were needed, the Activity-Based Physics Suite, which included Workshop Physics, Interactive Lecture Demonstrations, Real-Time Physics, was integrated to reduce implementation barriers for instructors. With the philosophy of reducing content, abandoning formal lectures, emphasizing the process of scientific inquiry and using computer tools flexibly, Workshop Physics centers around Workshop Physics Activity Guide, a series of workbooks covering selected content about Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Electromagnetics, along with diverse computer tools, customized apparatus and other supplemental learning materials such as the Interactive Video Vignettes. Over years of development, although in need of a few more adjustments and modifications, Workshop Physics has won prestigious reputation among students and instructors for its cooperative learning environment, diverse activities, efficient tools and remarkable teaching effectiveness.

Published in Science Journal of Education (Volume 9, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjedu.20210903.17
Page(s) 115-123
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Workshop Physics, Activity-Based, Computer Tools

References
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[11] Thornton, R. K., & Sokoloff, D. R. (1998). Assessing Student Learning of Newton’s Laws: The Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation and the Evaluation of Active Learning Laboratory and Lecture Curricula. American Journal of Physics, 66 (4), 338-352.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Chao Fu, Xiumei Feng. (2021). Workshop Physics: An Activity-Based Curriculum Enhanced by Computer Tools. Science Journal of Education, 9(3), 115-123. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20210903.17

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    ACS Style

    Chao Fu; Xiumei Feng. Workshop Physics: An Activity-Based Curriculum Enhanced by Computer Tools. Sci. J. Educ. 2021, 9(3), 115-123. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20210903.17

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    AMA Style

    Chao Fu, Xiumei Feng. Workshop Physics: An Activity-Based Curriculum Enhanced by Computer Tools. Sci J Educ. 2021;9(3):115-123. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20210903.17

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjedu.20210903.17,
      author = {Chao Fu and Xiumei Feng},
      title = {Workshop Physics: An Activity-Based Curriculum Enhanced by Computer Tools},
      journal = {Science Journal of Education},
      volume = {9},
      number = {3},
      pages = {115-123},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjedu.20210903.17},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20210903.17},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjedu.20210903.17},
      abstract = {Workshop Physics, initiated by P. W. Laws and her colleagues at Dickinson College, is an activity-based collaborative-learning curriculum enhanced by using computer tools for data acquisition, display and analysis, during which students experience various learning activities including predictions, qualitative observations, quantitative experiments, mathematical modeling and problem solving, etc. The curriculum was formally established when the Workshop Physics team was awarded a two-year grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Science Education. As a more flexible and comprehensive set of activity-based curricular materials were needed, the Activity-Based Physics Suite, which included Workshop Physics, Interactive Lecture Demonstrations, Real-Time Physics, was integrated to reduce implementation barriers for instructors. With the philosophy of reducing content, abandoning formal lectures, emphasizing the process of scientific inquiry and using computer tools flexibly, Workshop Physics centers around Workshop Physics Activity Guide, a series of workbooks covering selected content about Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Electromagnetics, along with diverse computer tools, customized apparatus and other supplemental learning materials such as the Interactive Video Vignettes. Over years of development, although in need of a few more adjustments and modifications, Workshop Physics has won prestigious reputation among students and instructors for its cooperative learning environment, diverse activities, efficient tools and remarkable teaching effectiveness.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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    AU  - Chao Fu
    AU  - Xiumei Feng
    Y1  - 2021/06/29
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjedu.20210903.17
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    JF  - Science Journal of Education
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    AB  - Workshop Physics, initiated by P. W. Laws and her colleagues at Dickinson College, is an activity-based collaborative-learning curriculum enhanced by using computer tools for data acquisition, display and analysis, during which students experience various learning activities including predictions, qualitative observations, quantitative experiments, mathematical modeling and problem solving, etc. The curriculum was formally established when the Workshop Physics team was awarded a two-year grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Science Education. As a more flexible and comprehensive set of activity-based curricular materials were needed, the Activity-Based Physics Suite, which included Workshop Physics, Interactive Lecture Demonstrations, Real-Time Physics, was integrated to reduce implementation barriers for instructors. With the philosophy of reducing content, abandoning formal lectures, emphasizing the process of scientific inquiry and using computer tools flexibly, Workshop Physics centers around Workshop Physics Activity Guide, a series of workbooks covering selected content about Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Electromagnetics, along with diverse computer tools, customized apparatus and other supplemental learning materials such as the Interactive Video Vignettes. Over years of development, although in need of a few more adjustments and modifications, Workshop Physics has won prestigious reputation among students and instructors for its cooperative learning environment, diverse activities, efficient tools and remarkable teaching effectiveness.
    VL  - 9
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Author Information
  • College of Physical Science and Technology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China

  • College of Physical Science and Technology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China

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