The results of a survey of the chairmen of physics departments in the publicly supported two-year colleges in New York are presented. Included questions on the acceptability of the Doctor of Arts degree, degrees held by current staff members, and course work background desired in new staff members. (Author/TS)

Describes material used in a first semester introductory physics laboratory for nonscience majors. The computer is used for data manipulation and in some cases, computer programs allow simulation of experiments with the possibility of altering values of parameters or experimental details. (Author/TS)

Argues that writing about physics forces students to come to grips with the material and with what they do and do not understand. Describes the use of writing in an introductory course. Discusses benefits of a decentralized "writing across the curriculum" program. (JRH)

Investigates the relationship between traditional physics textbook problem solving and conceptual understanding. Reports that students had many of the well-known conceptual difficulties with basic mechanics and that there was little correlation between the number of problems solved and conceptual understanding. (Contains 21 references.)…

Discusses the agenda, arrangements, and costs of a regional meeting designed to help seniors in planning careers. Suggests the physics groups sponsor similar meetings in their regions. (CC)

Discusses the nature and scope of physics questions which are included in Medical College Admission Tests, as represented by recently published sample questions in the student manual. Urges physics teachers to be aware of the existence of some ambiguous questions in the test. (GA)

Provides ideas and outcomes for nine computer laboratory experiments using a commercial eight-bit analog to digital (ADC) interface. Experiments cover statistics; rotation; harmonic motion; voltage, current, and resistance; ADC conversions; temperature measurement; single slit diffraction; and radioactive decay. Includes necessary schematics. (MVL)

Describes the development and analysis of the Test of Understanding Graphs in Kinematics (TUG-K) and reports the results of a study aimed at uncovering student problems with interpreting kinematics graphs. Proposes a model for creating multiple choice tests which can be used as diagnostic tools. Contains 34 references. (DDR)

Explores self-reflection skills and views in the context of an introductory physics course for first-year engineering honors students. Measures students' conceptual learning gains using standard survey instruments. Finds that students with high conceptual gains tend to show reflection on learning that is more articulate and epistemologically…

Reproduces the foreward of a Ph.D. thesis for the purpose of reflecting the author's story of finding a research topic. (CC)

Contends that the large vocabulary used for precise purposes in physics contains many words that have related but potentially confusing meanings in everyday usage. Analyzes the treatment of Newton's Laws of Motion in several well-known introductory textbooks for evidence of inconsistent language use. Makes teaching suggestions. (Contains 11…

Provides nearly 200 resources for programs for the preparation of physics graduate students for their responsibilities as teachers. Resources are listed under the following categories: (1) General Resources; (2) Resources Focused on Particular Aspects of Instruction; (3) National Conference Proceedings; (4) International TAs; (5) Institutional…

Discusses the Denver collaborative training program in radiologic technology with emphasis upon identification of core topics, preparation of quality instructional materials, and use of innovative teaching techniques, such as computer-assisted instruction and video tape presentations. Included is a 10-week course outline. (CC)