Compilation of Posts to the Modeling Listserv

For years, teachers who have participated in Modeling Workshops nationwide have posted questions, comments, helpful suggestions etc, to the Modeling listserv. Jane Jackson has organized these posts so that they might serve as a resource to teachers as they implement a Modeling approach in their classrooms. These compilations are broken down into the following 5 main categories:

General Concerns

Advice for new teachers

AP science critique (Nat'l Academy of Science -- 2002)

AP physics critique (Physics Today -- 2002)

Benefits of research-informed instruction, long-term(2003)

FCI scores stay fixed in reform classes (2002)

Hestenes quotes: modeling instruction works!(2001)

High school preparation for college (Philip Sadler's research) (2001)

High school preparation for college (Modeling Instruction) (2001)

Modeling promotes creative and powerful habits of thought and action (2003)

Ninth grade algebra/physics course for disadvantaged students (2003)

Parent Night - Open House(1999)

Physics First at Clayton High School (Rex Rice) (1999)

Physics First at Clayton High School (Rex Rice; FCI scores) (2003)

Physics First at Clayton High School (biology teachers like it!) (2003)

Physics First at Clayton High School (chemistry teachers like it!)(2003)

Presentations to colleagues: one or two-hours (2000)

Presentations to middle and high school teachers (3 days to 3 weeks) (2003)

Selling Modeling Instruction to parents(2002)

Selling physics to school counselors and parents (2003)

1st semester - mechanics

Sequencing of units: introduce energy first (2003)

Sequencing of units: when introduce energy? (2001)

Unit 1 suite of labs: Free fall lab (2001)

Starting with Unit 2 (2001)

How to use Graphs & Tracks (1997)

Unit 2,3 motion maps - kinesthetic (1999)

Unit 3-9 labs using Pasco's DataStudio (2002)

Unit 3 - Direction of acceleration (2001)

Units 3, 5 - Curve fitting in paradigm lab (1997 - 2002)

Unit 3 - Inclined rail paradigm lab (1997 - 2001))

Unit 3 - Inclined rail paradigm lab (2000))

Unit 3 - Inclined rail paradigm lab (2001))

Newton's Laws explained part 1

Newton's Laws explained part 2

Unit 4 - Invent vector addition (2001)

Unit 4 - Normal force (1998)

Unit 4 - Newton's 3rd law lab (1998)

Unit 5 - F = ma Paradigm lab (1997)

Unit 5 - F = ma Lab variations (2001)

Unit 5 - Boy in bucket problem (2001)

Unit 5 - Friction first (2001)

Unit 5 - Normal force, friction (2002)

Unit 5 - Friction vs surface area (2003)

Unit 5-Vernier probes and software(2003)

Unit 6 - Projectile motion lab (2001)

Unit 6 - Projectile motion video analysis (2001)

Unit 7 - Sequencing of energy and 2nd semester content (2003)

Unit 7 - Springs that work (1999)

Unit 7 - Force vs stretch of spring (Hooke's Law lab, 2003)

Unit 7 - Cart and spring lab (2000)

Unit 7 - Categorizing energy (2003)

Unit 7 - Spring energy (2002)

Unit 7 - Spring constant vs length (2002)

Unit 7 - Gravitational PE lab (2000)

Unit 7 - Dissipated energy lab (2001)

Unit 7,9 - Energy - What is it? (2001)

Unit 7,9 - Work - What is it? (2001)

Unit 7 - Kinetic energy of a rolling ball (2002)

Unit 7 - Gravitational potential, energy (2000)

Unit 7 - Worksheet 3b (1999)

Unit 7 - Energy lab practicums (2000)

Unit 8 - Uniform circular motion lab (1998)

Unit 8 - Uniform circular motion lab part 1: refinements (2002)

Unit 8 - Uniform circular motion lab part 2: innovations (2002)

Unit 9 - Impulse-momentum paradigm lab (2000)

Unit 9 - Impulse-momentum lab - improved (M. Schober) (2003)

Unit 9 - Momentum bar graphs (2001)

Unit 9 - Momentum motion maps (2001)

Unit 9 - Force is a momentum current (G. Swackhamer) (1999)

Unit 9 - Momentum in collisions (2000)

Unit 9 - Lab practicum (2003)

Unit 9 - Rain on wagon problem

2nd semester topics (E&M, CASTLE, Waves, Light)

MBL probes and equipment for 2nd Semester (2003)

Time table for 2nd semester content (2003)

CASTLE -- How to break bulbs (2002)

CASTLE questions--Unit III (2003)

Fields: conceptual issues (Gregg Swackhamer, Matt Greenwolfe)(2003)

Simple harmonic motion - period lab (2002)

Classroom resources

ALPS Kits, Context Rich Problems (2000)

Conceptual Kinematics, Geometers Sketchpad

Graphing Calculators: Learning how to use them (2002)

Graphs for worksheets and tests (2001)

Interactive Physics simulations (2003)

Laptop computers in the physics classroom (2003)

Minds-On Physics textbook (2003)

Motion detector troubles and how to fix them (2001)

Motion detector vs photogate (2000)

Picket fence construction (2001)

Tracks for inclined plane labs (Units 3 and 5, 2003)

Whiteboards: care & cleaning (2002)

Classroom management

AP-C: modeling instruction course(2000)

AP-C: modeling instruction course(1999)

AP physics: B vs C with modeling instruction? (2002)

AP physics: layering labs (2000)

Block scheduling (2001)

Block vs traditional schedule (2002)

Cooperative group size: optimizing (1999)

Cooperative lab group size: optimizing (2003)

Course sequence: repeat labs(2003)

Differentiation in class (2002)

English language learners: discourse (2003)

Girls' FCI scores, enrollment in adv physics (2003)

Girls' preferences in physics (article by Bruce Wyman)

Give the correct answer? - part 1 (2001)

Give the correct answer? - part 2 (2001)

Grading labs (2001)

Hearing-impaired students (1998)

Homework management (2001)

Journal keeping by students (2001)

Lawsuit threat (2003)

Learning Disabled Students -- FCI accommodations

Modeling with less math (1998)

Motivation and Modeling (2001)

Pace: How to keep up with traditional physics teachers (2003)

Pace of course (David Hestenes) (2001)

Speeding the pace with time management (Michael Crofton) (2003)

Schedules: block & traditional (2002)

Student teacher (2000)

Student teacher in Modeling Instruction classroom (2003)

Substitute teacher (2001)

Textbook --- how to use one effectively; ideal characteristics (2003)

Whiteboarding --- a tool, a learning experience (Don Yost) (2002)

Whiteboarding --- board meetings introduction (Dwain Desbien) (2000)

Whiteboarding --- board meeting physical aids (2000)

Whiteboarding --- board meetings speed the pace (2001)

Whiteboarding --- identify the model! (2000)

Whiteboarding --- appropriate use of data tables (2002)

Whiteboarding --- resistance by lower-level students (2003)

Whiteboarding --- ways to improve (Greg Groeschl) (1999)

In case you are looking for a strand that doesn't appear in one of the links above, the Modeling listserv has an excellent archive with a search engine as the first link! You must first choose a password to access the archive. It's easy; just follow the instructions.

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last modified 4/17/07