The evolution of learning design continues, focusing on blended laboratory approaches incorporating technology. The Sophisticated Thinking Laboratory (STB-LAB) and Gather Town are key tools in implementing collaborative learning in this context. This study assesses the effectiveness of blended laboratory implementation using STB-LAB and Gather…

Background: This paper presents a case study from a physics course at a Norwegian university college, investigating key aspects of a group-work project, so-called learning labs, from the participating students' perspective. Purpose: In order to develop these learning labs further, the students' perspective is important. Which aspects are essential…

Computer-based tools that enable students to collect, display and analyse data in real time have catalysed the design of a laboratory curriculum that allows students to master a coherent body of physics concepts while acquiring traditional laboratory skills. This paper describes "RealTime Physics", a sequenced introductory laboratory curriculum…

Provides a description and evaluation of a university's recently instituted physics learning center. Photos and text reveal some uses of the facility. (Author/CP)

Questions present methods of science instruction in secondary schools. Offers suggestions to increase learning efficiency by substitution of alternate instructional procedures. The Exploratorium in San Francisco is identified as one alternative. (CP)

Members of the Physics Department and the Science Education Department have combined their efforts to implement an audio-tutorial (A-T) mode of instruction in an introductory physics course for non-physical science majors. In the A-T approach, a tape-guided discussion is integrated with various student activities such as laboratory work, viewing…

This unit is designed to be used primarily by students who have some interest in bicycles. It is intended to draw them into mathematical thinking in an interesting way. This unit is laboratory oriented. It will be necessary that the student have access to a bicycle in the classroom for several of the exercises (unless they are done primarily at…

Two instructional methods for a freshman physics course were compared: audio-tutorial (AT) instruction in a learning center and lecture-recitation-laboratory (LRL) instruction. Both random assignment and student preference were used to distribute the 575 students between the two methods. Course content, homework, and tests were identical.…

This first of two articles presents eight examples of what software infusion (SI) looks like in actual practice in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms and learning laboratories. An analysis of SI characteristics demonstrated in the examples is presented to bring the definition of SI into focus. (MBR)