First, the majority of students enrolled in introductory physics courses at the high school and college levels do not have sufficient concrete experience with physical phenomena to comprehend theories and mathematical derivations presented in lectures. Second, the current body of physics knowledge is overwhelming and the traditional method of trying to cover too many topics can lead to rote memorization. We believe that the only viable strategy is to learn some topics thoroughly and to master methods for learning other topics independently. Standard physics lab equipment. Computer with MBL per 3 students.
General questions lead students to formulate their own hypotheses, questions, and experiments.
Computer equipment with MBL allows easy access to good data. The instructor offers guidance in helping the students come up with explanations and answers on their own. Standard physics laboratory equipment. Computer with MBL per 4 students. Each sections starts with about 7 minutes of lecturing on one of the fundamental concepts to be covered.