This paper was inspired by the numerous requests from "TPT" readers to expand the number of examples of "recurrent study" lab exercises described in my previous paper "Physics Labs with Flavor." I recommend that readers examine it first in order to better understand this one as my attempt here is to be brief. In that paper, one can find details…

The literature on the pedagogical aspects of the photoelectric effect as used in the undergraduate student laboratory shows that little research has been done in this area. Our current study is an analysis of the instructions in 38, electronically published laboratory manuals for the photoelectric effect. The analyses were based on history and…

In this article, the successful implementation of a development cycle for a physics teaching package based on game-like virtual reality software is reported. The cycle involved several iterations of evaluating students' use of the package followed by instructional and software development. The evaluation used a variety of techniques, including…

Conventional physics laboratory courses generally include an emphasis on increasing students' ability to carry out data analysis according to scientific practice, in particular, those aspects that relate to measurement uncertainty. This study evaluates the efficacy of the conventional approach by analyzing the understanding of measurement of…

The objectives of this study are: (1) evaluation of the methodology used in recent search for particles with fractional electrical charge (quarks) and its implications for understanding the scientific research methodology of Millikan; (2) evaluation of 43 general physics textbooks and 11 laboratory manuals, with respect to the oil drop experiment,…

Reports on an ethnographic study of laboratory sessions in the departments of Physics and Chemistry at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa, with specific focus on the comparison of the function of verbs in three first-year laboratory manuals. Several pedagogical implications are discussed. (JL)

This instructor's manual in vocational physics consists of five modules: Jacks, Thermometers, The Alternator, The Pool Table, and The Radiator. It is an individualized approach, designed for use with accompanying student manuals on each of the individual modules. Each module in the instructor's manual consists of a general description plus an…

This vocational physics individualized student instructional module on thermometers consists of the three units: Temperature and heat, expansion thermometers, and electrical thermometers. Designed with a laboratory orientation, experiments are included on linear expansion; making a bimetallic thermometer, a liquid-in-gas thermometer, and a gas…

This vocational physics individualized student instructional module on jacks (simple machines used to lift heavy objects) contains student prerequisites and objectives, an introduction, and sections on the ratchet bumper jack, the hydraulic jack, the screw jack, and load limitations. Designed with a laboratory orientation, each section consists of…

This publication is a laboratory study guide designed for mechanical engineering students. All of the experiments (with the exception of experiment No. 1) contained in the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory Manual have been included in this guide. Brief theoretical backgrounds, examples and their solutions, charts, graphs, illustrations, and…

This vocational physics individualized instructional student module on the alternator consists of the four units: Current electricity, magnets from electricity, electricity from magnets, and energy conversion. Designed with a laboratory orientation, the units present explanations of the concepts and experiments. Laboratory data sheets,…

Project SOAR (Stress on Analytic Reasoning) is a pre-college summer program for natural, health, and mathematics science majors jointly developed and conducted by the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Computer Science and Physics/Pre-Engineering at Xavier University of Louisiana. The program objective was to increase performance in…

This Physics Laboratory Project Book, assembled through a survey of science instructors in vocational-technical schools in Connecticut, is an extension of the Chemistry-Materials Laboratory Project Book (see note) and is intended to meet a variety of needs. It can serve as an idea book, with the instructor taking from it as needed and adding or…