The curricula gathered below have been selected because they connect very well with the Using Data Acquisition Tools to Enhance Secondary Physical Science Physics Academy course.
The link above will bring you to ASU’s general modeling site giving you access to high school specific information, as well as a listing of opportunities for extensive workshops for learning modeling instruction.
Appropriate for high school and college alike, although not covered in the academy, the link to the above group offers free simulation software packages. These simulations allow for interactive labs with no more equipment than your current classroom computers. In addition to a broad range of topics addressed by the simulations, they have posted a growing database of free labs using the simulations. You will have to go through a few screens to get to the labs, but the initial screen is important for you to see.
Physics Education Researchers have combined their efforts and 25+ years of community research to develop this interactive curriculum package. The above link goes to The Physics Suite site giving brief descriptions of all material included in the package and a means for obtaining copies of each curricular element.
Note: for each title below you can request a copy from Wiley to evaluate the material for yourself.
The link above will take you to an online copy of Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite. E.F. Redish's book gives a very good overview of Physics Education Research spanning the last 20+ years and how it can be useful in the classroom. Because the book discusses the research and its classroom implications, it speaks to all of us teaching physics, not only those interested in teaching with The Physics Suite.
In Chapter Eight, Edward "Joe" Redish's book gives a valuable overview of activity-based learning using tutorials and computer based labs.
The link above will take you to Priscilla Laws’ extensive site regarding Workshop Physics.
Although developed as the backbone of a calculus based college introductory physics course, only 5-10% of the computer based labs actually feature calculus. Unlike traditional curriculum, all Workshop Physics work takes place in the lab, foregoing the large lecture format altogether. Would you like to see a sample lesson?
If you prefer a much more elaborate and informed description, check out the creator’s overview of her curriculum.
Click here to to go to a site where you may purchase a copy of Workshop Physics
If you click the link above, you’ll go to the Tufts Center for Science and Mathematics Teaching to read a discussion of what a Micro-computer based lab is, how it can be useful, and the sample populations used in testing these methods. You’ll see how high school and middle school teachers play an active role co-developing the curriculum.
With RealTime Physics you can expect to find computer based labs similar to Workshop Physics; however, RealTime Physics has been designed to work within a lecture based classroom. Priscilla Laws, a co-author, has highlighted some of the RealTime/Worshop Physics differences.
Click here to to go to a site where you may purchase a copy of RealTime Physics
The link above brings you to Michael Wittmann’s site for Activity Based Tutorials. These tutorials were designed to work in conjunction with lectures and provide an opportunity for active inquiry within small groups, often using computer data acquisition tools.
If you’d like to see a sample tutorial, co-author E.F. Redish offers a sample Force and Motion tutorial.
Click here to to go to a site where you may purchase a copy of Activity-Based Tutorials
Do you have interest in a high school specific CD of the ABT curriculum?
