Article 7
U-shaped Development: Sometimes, as we learn new skills, our performance drops before it rises again. Intuitively, this makes sense of sense, especially in the context of sports. Let’s say you...
View ArticleReform
Some possible changes on the horizon for algebra-based physics here: #1 The adoption of PER-informed textbook #2 Use of established research-based curricular materials / activities This is a big...
View ArticleBad Day? Worst Day?… ugh
Today was very challenging day in inquiry. I could easily mark this one as the worst day of the year, but I think that’s just how I feel at the moment. Here are some reasons why I think things...
View ArticleRecovery… or at least a step in the right direction
Today in Inquiry was more much better than Monday. Here are some reasons why: A very clear goal was given to students for the day A product was required to meet that goal and it was tied to public...
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Science and Faith: We’ll agree to disagree about the moon
For class, I was searching google images for drawings depicting impossible moons. I’m pretty sure this one wins because of its irony with the title. Note that I haven’t read the book. My thinking: #1...
View ArticleWhen a Student Teaches the Teacher about Teaching
Today, I didn’t have time to revise the sample problem I’m supposed to do in physics. So I worked the sample problem as given. We were doing standing waves. In the particular problem, there was a...
View ArticleBig Questions for My Teaching of Physics Course
In spring, I’m teaching “Teaching of Physics” again. Here is my stab at trying to organize my thinking about that course around 3 big questions: Understanding Physics: What does it mean to understand...
View ArticleBeginning a Short Unit on the Seasons
So, we are ending the year in inquiry by studying the seasons. We started by talking about the following situations: (1) You are at a concert. What could you do to increase or reduce the impact of the...
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