Unit 2 Constant velocity particle Model

Intro:

Given a small electric car we were asked what we observed about the car.  We were then asked what we could measure, making sure to differentiate things that are measured and things that are calculated.  This basically brought us down to the idea that we can measure position and time.  Some of this is kind of leading but also you could put things off till later.  “That is a great idea we are actually going to look at that at a later time.

Paradigm lab:

Ask the students to answer the research question “What is the relationship between position and time?”    Our group decided to use a lap timer and measure the time given the specific distance so the distance was the independent variable.  I think that going around and making sure that at least some groups have position vs. time and some with time vs. position can be useful during the board discussion.

This is discussed at a board meeting trying to bring out the meaning of the slope, the reciprocal of the slope (the slope of our graph in this case).  Also focusing in on the “for every statement”.

Then different groups are given different tasks with a car that has a different speed,  going the opposite direction.   Same direction catching up, same direction pulling away, opposite direction starting at zero.  These are also plotted and discussed.  Hopefully the students will focus in on the negative aspect  and introduce the term of velocity (following the adage concept before term).

The strobe picture idea leads into the motion map.  Having students work through some sample motion map questions on the white boards can be helpful.

Go over the multiple representations to cap it off so they can see the whole picture.

Picture of multiple representations.

The practicum was very entertaining and fun.  I think it will go over well in class.

I really feel that this will be a change for the better.  I'm a little apprehensive about getting it right.  I really want my students in the first year that I do this to reap some definite benefits.  As I think about it if I get through 1 unit done well they will probably have learned more than they would have using the equations.

Unit 1 Reflections

Modelling as a way of physics.  I think it is doable but I think it is going to be a lot of work.  Here is what I’ve gotten out of the first few days of the workshop.  A good amount of the technique seem to coincide with what my school has been working on the last few years so I think the transition will be an easy sell to my administration.  Here are the main points.

1.       I need to do less talking and the students need to do more.  This will involve answering questions with questions and try to lead the students to think through the material.

2.        The beginning of the year will involve getting to know the students and the students getting used to the processes of the class.  One of the main processes will be the board meeting. 

3.       The 6 to 10 labs we did help the students come up with operational definitions.  They will see that the things that we use in the class are what we come up with and it will help delve into some of the misconceptions and gaps that are there.

a.       I want to make sure I deal with some that involve each type of graph relationship

b.      Be sure to deal with one involving area so that the students can develop an operational definition for area.

c.       Be sure they gather at least 5 points of data

d.      Try to have them gather points so that ideally the largest is 10x bigger than the smallest.

e.      Make sure the students are arguing from data

f.        The 5% rule for rejecting setting the intercept to 0

g.       They should be able to make an argument for why the point 0,0 is included in their data or not.

h.      What should be included on their labs and boards

·   Title

·   Research question

·   Graph

·   Data table

·   For every statement

4.       Only use things in class that the class comes up with.

I’ll have to come back and refine this later but this is a start.

The beginning

My first post in my first blog. I created this for the modeling conference I will go to later this week but there are a lot of other benefits that I can think of.  I'm looking forward to the conference but somewhat regretting the time I'm going to be away from my family.