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| MECHANICAL UNIVERSE, THE: High School Adaptation. A series of 28 videotape modules developed for teachers and high school students to reinforce the major topics and concepts covered in most physics textbooks. Through the use of these audio-visuals with computer animation, complex principles are clarified. Historical milestones are reenacted throughout the series to emphasize the evolution of ideas and the connectedness of scientific discovery. |
Audience Approved by PEP for all high school physics teachers and students.
Description THE MECHANICAL UNIVERSE: High School Adaptation presents an innovative approach for motivating students toward mastering a conceptual understanding of physics. The specified pedagogical style for a lesson - based on the Karplus Learning Cycle of exploration, concept development and application - begins with an appropriate introduction by the teacher followed by a segment of one of the modules and concludes with student activity in discussion, further lab experiences or another prescribed task for utilization of the concept presented. The complete module can take the student from a view of Galileo framing a thought experiment to close-ups of complicated experiments or modern nuclear laboratories - from animated cartoons of gravitational effects to three-dimensional computer graphics that come alive. Hence, the abstract concepts of physics are made more understandable. These visual images prompt the student's memory, imagination, and understanding as the narrative develops the typical (and not so typical) concepts of high school physics. The audio-visual materials in conjunction with the written Teacher's Guide and Student's Guide, encourage repeated viewings for an ever- deepening conceptual comprehension of the topics presented.
The written comprehensive Teacher's Guide includes (1) a specific plan outlining the necessary instructional procedures for the effective implementation of each module, (2) supportive background information to assist teachers in their own understanding of the physical concepts, (3) questions to explore common applications of the concepts, and (4) test questions for the assessment of student understanding.
These materials can replace traditional material being used for most physics topics typically presented in high school. The 28 topics available cover all but very few topics contained in a traditional physics course, with some topics, such as Black Holes and Curved Space, that are new to the typical course.
Evidence of Effectiveness Comparative studies between traditional materials and THE MECHANICAL UNIVERSE: High School Adaptation have revealed that MUHSA students express a greater interest in taking physics, as well as an improved confidence that they can succeed in physics. Students using MUHSA produced results with a mean score 11 percentile points higher than the mean score of students using traditional materials. The desired effectiveness can be expected when the prescribed pedagogical style is implemented.
Requirements A four-day workshop is available for teachers with a college major or minor in physics and five or more years of experience in the field of physics. Those teachers with less experience and/or college physics should take part in longer workshops that are offered at the University of Dallas.
Costs Purchase cost for the 28 modules is $525, which includes all videotapes, teacher's and students' guides, and duplication rights for the school. If the adopting site does not have a video cassette player and monitor, those must be acquired separately.
Services A sample module including the video and written materials can be obtained at no cost. Program demonstration sites in 24 states are open to visitors by appointment. Awareness and training workshops are available with costs to be negotiated. A support staff is available through the toll-free number (800) 526-8472.
Developmental Funding: National Science Foundation.
PEP No. 88-18 (11/1/88)
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