Innovative Interactive Lecture Demonstrations Using Wireless Force Sensors and Accelerometers for Introductory Physics Courses

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Innovative Interactive Lecture Demonstrations Using Wireless Force Sensors and Accelerometers for Introductory Physics Courses
Language: English
Authors: Yoder, G., Cook, J.
Source: Physics Teacher. Dec 2010 48(9):567-572.
Availability: American Association of Physics Teachers. One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740. Tel: 301-209-3300; Fax: 301-209-0845; e-mail: pubs@aapt.org; Web site: http://scitation.aip.org/tpt
Peer Reviewed: Y
Physical Description: PDF
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2010
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Descriptors: Physics, Motion, Calculus, Lecture Method, Introductory Courses, Demonstration Programs, College Science, Measurement Techniques, Measurement Equipment, Science Instruction, Scientific Principles, Teaching Methods, Scientific Concepts
DOI: 10.1119/1.3517018
ISSN: 0031-921X
Abstract: Interactive lecture demonstrations (ILDs) are a powerful tool designed to help instructors bring state-of-the-art teaching pedagogies into the college-level introductory physics classroom. ILDs have been shown to improve students' conceptual understanding, and many examples have been created and published by Sokoloff and Thornton. We have used the new technology of Vernier's Wireless Dynamics Sensor System (WDSS) to develop three new ILDs for the first-semester introductory physics (calculus-based or algebra-based) classroom. These three are the Force Board, to demonstrate the vector nature of forces, addition of vectors, and the first condition of equilibrium; the Torque Board, to demonstrate torque and the second condition for equilibrium; and the Circular Motion Board, to discover the nature of the acceleration an object exhibiting uniform circular motion. With the WDSS, all three of these ILDs are easy to set up and use in any classroom or laboratory situation, and allow more instructors to utilize the technique of interactive lecture demonstrations.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 13
Entry Date: 2011
Accession Number: EJ912898
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Interactive lecture demonstrations (ILDs) are a powerful tool designed to help instructors bring state-of-the-art teaching pedagogies into the college-level introductory physics classroom. ILDs have been shown to improve students' conceptual understanding, and many examples have been created and published by Sokoloff and Thornton. We have used the new technology of Vernier's Wireless Dynamics Sensor System (WDSS) to develop three new ILDs for the first-semester introductory physics (calculus-based or algebra-based) classroom. These three are the Force Board, to demonstrate the vector nature of forces, addition of vectors, and the first condition of equilibrium; the Torque Board, to demonstrate torque and the second condition for equilibrium; and the Circular Motion Board, to discover the nature of the acceleration an object exhibiting uniform circular motion. With the WDSS, all three of these ILDs are easy to set up and use in any classroom or laboratory situation, and allow more instructors to utilize the technique of interactive lecture demonstrations.
ISSN:0031-921X
DOI:10.1119/1.3517018