Understanding reflection and refraction are an integral part of school and college learning. In nature even birds and fish (Archer fish) very skillfully use refraction to strike down prey present above or below the water surface. Fermat's principle allows one to look beyond the reasons behind the laws governing the reflection and refraction. A…

This paper reports the use of Tracker as a computer-based learning tool to support effective learning and teaching of "toss up" and free fall motion for beginning secondary three (15?year-old) students. The case study involved (N = 123) students from express pure physics classes at a mainstream school in Singapore. We used eight…

Literature in "Physics Education" has shown that students encounter many difficulties in understanding wave propagation. Such difficulties lead to misconceptions also in understanding sound, often used as context to teach wave propagation. To address these issues, we present in this paper a module in which the students are engaged in…

Electron-atom collisions in gases are an aspect of atomic physics. Three experiments in this field employing a thyratron are described: (i) the Ramsauer-Townsend effect, (ii) the excitation and ionization potentials of xenon and (iii) the ion-electron recombination after interrupting the electric discharge.

A method has been developed to measure the swing period of a simple pendulum automatically. The pendulum position is converted into a signal frequency by employing a simple electronic circuit that detects the intensity of infrared light reflected by the pendulum. The signal produced by the electronic circuit is sent to the microphone port and…

Inexpensive video analysis technology now enables students to make precise measurements of an object's position at incremental times during its motion. Such capability now allows users to "examine", rather than simply "assume", energy conservation in a variety of situations commonly discussed in introductory physics courses. This article describes…

A new procedure for performing quantitative measurements in teaching optics is presented. Application of the procedure to accurately measure the rate of change of the variable refractive index of a water-denatured alcohol mixture is described. The procedure can also be usefully exploited for measuring the constant refractive index of distilled…

A simple interface between VPython and Microsoft (MS) Office products such as Word and Excel, controlled by Visual Basic for Applications, is described. The interface allows the preparation of content-rich, interactive learning environments by taking advantage of the three-dimensional (3D) visualization capabilities of VPython and the GUI…

Discusses the current roles of information technology (IT) in formal education and characterizes emerging trends in the field. Identifies specific uses of computers in physics education and lists representative programs. (ML)

Identifies problems students have learning physics and explains how microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) tools can help the learner. Describes the possibilities for instruction with MBL instruments and stresses the pedagogical advantages it has in the sciences. (ML)

Summarized are the key features of the revolution in electronics, namely (1) capacity, (2) cost, (3) speed, and (4) size. Outlined also are some possible implications for the future with particular reference to telecommunications, medical services and education. (CS)

Identifies specific science skill activities and discusses how they can be enhanced using the microcomputer in a laboratory setting. Highlights the benefits, advantages, and applications of microcomputers in physics laboratories. (ML)

Points out two areas of difficulty in teaching Newtonian dynamics. Describes several alternatives to physics learning using new technology. Details the use of the LOGO computer language in teaching simple Newtonian environments. Suggests the potential for creating new learning experiences in dynamics with new technology. (CW)

Discusses the increased overlap in both the content and methods of teaching physics and "craft, design and technology" (CDT) in Great Britain. Describes the move toward the inclusion of CDT in the examinations for the General Certificate of Secondary Education. Provides suggestions for a proposed course in CDT. (TW)

Describes and compares five different uses of computers in physics education: tutorial, demonstrations, modelling toolkit, laboratory aid, and student as programer. Provides examples of computer uses and offers perspectives on developing further programs. (ML)