Back
Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR USA
GIREP Seminar
2003
In the past 16 years effective curricular materials have been developed that are based on the outcomes of physics education research, employ new pedagogical approaches, and utilize exciting computer-based tools for collection, display and analysis of scientific data. During this time period, many school districts have purchased the technology needed to implement these new strategies. Yet many secondary physics and physical science teachers lack the training to make effective use of these approaches and tools. The Activity Based Physics (ABP) Group has considerable experience in developing curricula and computer tools for the active learning of physics and physical science. Group members have used their own physics education research and the research of others to inform these curriculum development activities. This has resulted in the Activity Based Physics Suite, a collection of curricular materials-most of which are computer-supported. A subset of the Physics Suite materials have been collected on an Activity Based Physics High School CD, and are available for secondary school classroom use at a very affordable price. The ABP Group has also been active since 1987 in designing and presenting professional development programs that address the problems teachers have in implementing active learning approaches in their classrooms. This paper will report on the Activity Based Physics Institutes, their design and their successes in changing physics pedagogy in secondary schools using research-based, technology-rich curricula.