Pencasts are videos of problem solving with narration by the problem solver. Pedagogically, students can create pencasts to illustrate their own problem solving to the instructor or to their peers. Pencasts have implications for teaching at multiple levels from elementary grades through university courses. In this article, we describe the use of…

A traditional physical science course was transformed into an environmental physical science course to teach physics to non-science majors. The objective of the new course was to improve the learning of basic physics principles by applying them to current issues of interest. A new curriculum was developed with new labs, homework assignments,…

Describes an effective and efficient method to induce students to do physics homework. (CP)

Discusses implementation and advantages of take-home experiments, including three respective examples in acoustics, magnetism, and optics. The activities can be categorized into demonstration experiments, see-what-you-can-find-out'' experiments, and experiments requiring preparatory class discussion or written directions. (CC)

Discusses the use of two television sets with UHF coverage and a window screen or aluminum foil reflector to conduct a take-home experiment in physics. (CC)

Discusses the need for college science teachers to show students the fundamentals before expecting them to "dive in." Argues for the importance of homework in post-secondary science classes. (WRM)