Interactive Lecture Demonstrations: Active Learning in Introductory Physics

A powerful new way to learn physics concepts in lecture!

Interactive Lecture Demonstrations (ILDs) are designed toenhance conceptual learning in physics lectures through activeengagement of students in the learning process. Students observereal physics demonstrations, make predictions about the outcomes ona prediction sheet, and collaborate with fellow students bydiscussing their predictions in small groups. Students then examinethe results of the live demonstration (often displayed as real–timegraphs using computer data acquisition tools), compare theseresults with their predictions, and attempt to explain the observedphenomena.

ILDs are available for all of the major topics in theintroductory physics course and can be used within the traditionalstructure of an introductory physics course. All of the printedmaterials needed to implement them are included in this book.

ILDs are a component of the Physics Suite acollection of materials created by a group of educational reformersknown as the Activity Based Physics Group. The PhysicsSuite includes:

Understanding Physics, by Cummings, Laws, Redish andCooney (an introductory textbook based on the best–selling text byHalliday/Resnick/Walker) RealTime Physics Laboratory Modules Workshop Physics Activity Guide (intended for use in thelaboratory) Physics by Inquiry (intended for use in aworkshop setting) Tutorials in Introductory Physics (designed primarilyfor use in recitations) Activity Based Tutorials (designed primarily for use inrecitations)

Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite (aninstructor s guide for choosing and combining Suitematerials that meet the needs of different departments)

Section I: Introduction to Interactive Lecture Demonstrations
The Eight Step Interactive Lecture Demonstration Procedure

Section II: Interactive Lecture Demonstrations in Mechanics
KIN1 Kinematics 1––Human Motion
KIN2 Kinematics 2––Motion of Carts
N1&2 Newton′s 1st & 2nd Laws
N3 Newton′s 3rd Law
VECT Vectors
PROJ Projectile Motion
ENER Energy of a Cart on a Ramp
MOM Momentum
ROTM Rotational Motion
STAT Statics
FLUS Fluid Statics

Section III: Interactive Lecture Demonstrations in Oscillations andWaves
SHM Simple Harmonic Motion
SND Sound

Section IV: Interactive Lecture Demonstrations in Heat andThermodynamics
INHT Introduction to Heat and Temperature
SPHT Specific Heat
HTPC Heat and Phase Changes
HENG Heat Engine

Section V: Interactive Lecture Demonstrations in Electricity andMagnetism
EFFP Electrostatic Field, Force and Potential
INDC Introduction to DC Circuits
SPC Series and Parallel Circuits
RCC RC Circuits
MAG Magnetism
EMIN Electromagnetic Induction
ACC AC Circuits

Section VI: Interactive Lecture Demonstrations in Light andOptics
RRLT Reflection and Refraction of Light
IMFL Image Formation with Lenses
MIRR Mirrors
POL Polarized Light

Appendix A: Interactive Lecture Demonstration ExperimentConfiguration Files