Promotes the use of computer modelling in physics instruction. Describes Dynamic Modelling System (DMS) and the procedures employed in applying it to problem solving in physics. Provides fundamental information on BASIC language and techniques for using DMS. (ML)

Describes the development and implementation of curriculum materials that discuss nuclear weapons and the evaluation of those materials by administrators, teachers, and students. Also discusses the place of the study of nuclear weapons in the curriculum and aims of the materials. Suggested student activities are included. (JM)

Describes several methods of executing lecture demonstrations involving the recombination of the spectrum. Groups the techniques into two general classes: bringing selected portions of the spectrum together using lenses or mirrors and blurring the colors by rapid movement or foreshortening. (JM)

Describes computer measurement of capacitor charge decay, change of fringe width with color, computer simulation of color mixing, Doppler effect/carrier waves, gravitational waves, microwave apparatus, computer simulation of Brownian motion, search coils and problems with the teaching of the relationships of velocity, frequency, and wavelength in…

Discusses several aspects of physics education in China. These include the school system, physics curriculum, physics textbooks and reference books used, preservice training for teachers of senior and middle schools, and in-service programs and activities for qualified physics teachers. (JN)

Described is a set of twelve single concept films produced by the three Skylab crews demonstrating zero gravity science. Each film includes instructional notes. (SL)

Education is a goal-oriented field. But if we want to treat education scientifically so we can accumulate, evaluate, and refine what we learn, then we must develop a theoretical framework that is strongly rooted in objective observations and through which different theoretical models of student thinking can be compared. Much that is known in the…

The World Wide Web influences education and our lives in many ways. Nowadays, Web-based homework has been becoming widespread practice in physics courses and some other courses as well. Although are some disputes whether this is an encouraging or risky development for student learning, there is limited research assessing the pedagogical effect of…

Physics and Astronomy Degree Recipients face a variety of career and educational choices once they receive their degree. The decisions that they make are affected by a wide range of influences, such as student experiences, evolving interests, family issues, personal finances, long-term career goals, and the economic conditions they encounter. This…

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has produced a distance learning series of four 60-minute video programs with an accompanying Web site and companion teacher guides. This teacher guide accompanies the fourth video in the series. The story lines of each program involve six ethnically diverse, inquisitive schoolchildren who…

This book focuses on devices and systems that transform motion or convert energy. Contents are divided into six chapters: (1) "Appetizers" includes activities that can be done individually to become familiar with the topic of machines and mechanisms; (2) "Concepts" provides a basis for machine and mechanism development; (3)…

In July of 2005, the American Association of Physics Teachers/Physics Teacher Resource Agents (AAPT/PTRA) Rural Project gathered 73 PTRAs at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City for the annual AAPT/PTRA Leadership Institute. The major goal for the summer institute is to provide the PTRAs with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively lead…

This brochure is written for students considering graduate work in physics or related fields such as astronomy, biophysics, and applied physics. It also provides some information for physics undergraduates who plan on pursuing postbaccalaureate studies in the fields of engineering, medicine, law, and other professions that attract significant…

The key to learning is student involvement! This American Association of Physics Teachers/Physics Teaching Resource Agents (AAPT/PTRA) manual presents examples of two techniques that are proven to increase student involvement in your classroom. Based on the "5E" model of learning, exploratories are designed to get your students excited about the…

Our research question was whether we could develop a feasible technique, using Bayesian networks, to diagnose gaps in student knowledge. Thirty-four college-age participants completed tasks designed to measure conceptual knowledge, procedural knowledge, and problem-solving skills related to circuit analysis. A Bayesian network was used to model…