Peer Instruction: A User's ManualPresents an entirely new approach to introductory physics within a calculus-based conceptual and a mathematical framework. It offers an approach to presenting the material that is more gradual than existing books on the subject. KEY TOPICS: Peer Instruction: A User's Manual develops the full conceptual framework of each chapter within the first section of that chapter while addressing questions common to that topic. The material in this section concentrates on the underlying ideas and paints the big picture, whenever possible without equations. The second part of each chapter then develops the rigorous mathematical framework linked to the material presented in the first part. Each chapter also includes a short set of qualitative, conceptual questions at the end of the first section designed to strengthen the focus on the conceptual framework and facilitate understanding of the mathematical framework. The book is written in a lively, engaging style that anticipates the questions readers will have, articulates them, and answers them in a direct dialogue with the reader. MARKETS: A valuable reference book for anyone desiring an understanding of physics as it relates to engineering and science. |
From inside the book
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An object is held in place by friction on an inclined surface . The angle of
inclination is increased until the object starts moving . If the surface is kept at this
angle , the object 1 . slows down . 2 . moves at uniform speed . 3 . speeds up . 4 .
none ...
An object hangs motionless from a spring . When the object is pulled down , the
sum of the elastic potential energy of the spring and the gravitational potential
energy of the object and Earth . 1 . increases . 2 . stays the same . 3 . decreases .
Consider an object that floats in water but sinks in oil . When the object floats in
water , half of it is submerged . If we slowly pour oil on top of the water so it
completely covers the object , the object 1 . moves up . 2 . stays in the same place
.
What people are saying - Write a review
I"m a teacher of math and I stumbled on Eric Mazur's work on Youtube. The PeerInstruction Network is worth subscribing to to get the most recent blog posts. Julie Schell has an excellent summary of the method at Julie Schell Peer Instruction on youtube... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rixx-Qtnt5I
The key points are setting up a "concept test" which is a question that students discuss. This is how to get studnets participating in the class rather than passively receiving information... and the teacher gets some idea of how the student understands the material when the test or quiz is given on paper. Using Mazur's method, the teacher can find out quickly how many students get the concept.
The book might be focused largely on calculus and physics, but its resources can be adapted to apply to other sciences ... and I've used some of his procedures in a history class, too.