Presents techniques aimed at promoting a higher level of student-faculty interaction and active student participation in the learning process in introductory physics lecture classes. Discusses group problem solving, the use of flash cards, and assessment. (JRH)

Uses the problem of determining when a car and truck traveling at the same speed will collide after the truck has applied its brakes to illustrate the need to consider boundary conditions when solving problems in elementary mechanics. (MDH)

Presents five models of the human body as a mechanical system which can be used in introductory physics courses: human arms as levers, humans falling from small heights, a model of the human back, collisions during football, and the rotating gymnast. Gives ideas for discussions and activities, including Interactive Physics (TM) simulations. (WRM)

Describes and explains a procedure for photographing the chaotic scattering of light. (WRM)

Briefly assesses the state of physics education over the past 50 years, and explains what is believed to be the necessary direction that should be taken in the immediate future. (GA)

Discusses possibilities for the application of telepresence to physics and teaching. Telepresence allows a computer user to effectively be present at some other location through the use of remote cameras, sensors, and controls. (WRM)

Describes attempts to move physics discussions out of the classroom and onto the Internet where students can participate any time through the use of an electronic message board. (WRM)

The teaching of physics principles by drawing examples from African students' surroundings in a cross-cultural environment is discussed. The concepts of pressure, center of gravity, and the action of salt on melting are described using examples that Nigerien students would understand. (KR)

Describes the construction of a device used to assist a physically disabled student with using the right-hand rule in a physics course. (WRM)

Presents a problem to determine conditions under which two identical masses, constrained to move along two perpendicular wires, would collide when positioned on the wires and released with no initial velocity. Offers a solution that utilizes the position of the center of mass and a computer simulation of the phenomenon. (MDH)

A physics teacher with inner-city-high-school teaching experience contends that spillover violence, due in large part to gang activity in the neighborhood, affects the performance and career choices of inner-city young people and contributes to the paucity of minority students in science classes. This in turn contributes to their lack of…

Discusses advantages of a video-based, digitized image system for the study and analysis of projectile motion in the physics laboratory. Describes the implementation of a web-based digitized video system. (WRM)