Curriculum and Instruction Commons^™

The Basis For The Success Of The Potsdam Program, Rick Luttmann

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Energy In Perspective Laboratory #11: Radiation, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

EXPERIMENTS
A) 1st Expt. Distance
1) Plot corrected counts/minute vs corrected distance.
2) Find the mathematical relationship from the graph.
3) Does doubling the distance cut the count rate in half? Check this mathematically.
4) Give a physical explanation of your results.
B) 2nd Expt. Shielding
1) Comment on the absorption of the various objects used in part A. Include count rates.
2) Plot corrected counts/minute vs shielding thickness for paper, aluminum, and lead. Make 1 graph with 3 plots.
3) Find mathematical relationships for each plot and label it clearly.
4) Which material shields the best? Why do you …

Energy In Perspective Laboratory #9: A Variety Of Physical Systems, Or Determining Relationships For Four (Yes, 4) Experiments, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

Your task will be to collect data from a variety of physical systems and find the relationships between the manipulated (independent) and responding (dependent) variables using a graphical method. You now know two different ways of analyzing data using two different graphs, either Cartesian or log-log. It will be up to you to decide which to use. Remember: contrastive features, range of variation, and distribution in larger contexts are all necessary to be able to understand something. In physics language that means explore as wide a range of the manipulated variables as seems reasonable. In fact, every physical system is …

A Semester Of Physics Laboratories By A Variety Of Physicists, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

The ADAPT Program for college freshmen was offered at the University of Nebraska Lincoln from 1975 to 1997. The program always included two semesters of three credit hours of physics. The fall semester of laboratories is given in this pdf file. The physics topics were arranged to develop more and more advanced reasoning and data analysis skills, from linear functions to power law functions to exponential functions. These analysis skills required the students to master Cartesian graphs, log-log graphs and semi-log graphs. All of these laboratories were organized according to the Robert Karplus learning cycle. Near the end of the …

Energy In Perspective Laboratory #4: Finding Relationships, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

A group of ADAPT students took the Starship Enterprise to the planet Kunzonia. When they arrived, they felt funny. Their heads seemed light and their feet seemed heavy. To try to understand the force of gravity on this planet, they made a simple swinging device fashioned from equipment on the starship. It was a flat bar with a pivot at the top and three equally-spaced holes along its length. The students used masses of 200 g, 400 g, and 600 g (which could be attached in the holes), a meter stick, and a timer, and let the bar swing to …

Energy In Perspective Laboratory #6: Induction: Guessing A General Relationship From Specific Numerical Data, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

Exploration Activity
An ADAPT student used a mechanical device to lift some heavy load. She recorded the following results:
Effort She Exerted Load She Lifted
10 lb. 410 lb.
22 lb. 520 lb.
33 lb. 620 lb.
45 lb. 730 lb.
60 lb. 860 lb.
77 lb. 1000 lb.
97 lb. 1200 lb.

1) Describe a method by which the student could determine the GENERAL relationship between the load she lifted and the effort she exerted. Is there more than one way that she could do it?
2) Decide on a method for your group. Use it to determine the …

Energy In Perspective Laboratory #10: Investigations In Optics, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

1. In an old-fashion film-developing device, it is common to use an aperture to control the exposure area of a film. The following diagram is a simplified version. There is a point light source on the left side of the diagram. We place an opaque plate with a 1 cm-square hole in its center and 10 cm away from the light source. Then we place a screen 20 cm away from the light source. The plate and the screen are facing the light source and all these objects are arranged in a straight line.

2. This Halloween picture was taken …

Energy In Perspective Laboratory #8: Finding More Of Nature's Rules, Or Not Everything In The World Is Described By A Straight Line!, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

Using x as the independent variable, draw one graph plotting: x vs A, x vs B, and ,i>x vs C. For each plot, connect the corresponding points with a smooth, best fit line or curve. (One graph of a data set by each person in your group is sufficient for now.)

The mental power of a linear relationship is our ability to use it to predict behaviors that we have not measured!

So far we have used Cartesian (named for French mathematician René Descartes) graphs (see lab #3). Most of our labs have consisted of taking data, plotting …

Energy In Perspective Laboratory #7: Predictability, Measurements, And Uncertainties, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

Not all repeated measurements of the same physical quantity will give the same numerical value. Consider the following case:

Two groups, morning and afternoon, of students went out on campus and made repeated determinations of the height of Hamilton Hall and Mueller Tower (on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus). The six morning teams made a total of 18 different determinations on the height of each structure. The eight afternoon teams obtained 24 values. Shown below:

1. List a variety of ways you can determine a "best" value for each height.
2. Select a method and do it for each height. …

Energy In Perspective Laboratory #5: Working With Triangles, Robert G. Fuller

ADAPT Lessons: Physics

Dear ADAPT Students,
We think that these plane figures can be organized into groups that share common properties. We went to Pythagoras but he died before he could tell us much. His last words were,
"Take measurements and focus on ratios..."
Beside his death bed we found 27 different pieces of cardboard cut into a variety of right triangles of various sizes and shapes. Please put the triangles into different groups that display at least two common characteristics and be prepared to explain to your instructor how you did it. You may wish to make a table of your measurements …

Gresham's Law: Algorithm Drives Out Thought, Sherman K. Stein

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

Gresham's law in economics states, "Bad money drives good money out of circulation." An application of this law in mathematical pedagogy states that "Algorithm drives out thought." While universities are ideally places where classes are meant to develop students' independence and critical thinking skills, often mathematics courses reflect this altered version of Gresham's law. This paper demonstrates the ways traditional mathematical pedagogy has held up Gresham's law and presents several suggestions for ways to change this approach to mathematical education to focus more on critical thinking without sacrificing the necessity of algorithm.

Seventh-Grade Student Achievement In Length, Perimeter, Area And Volume, Cathy Pierce

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to measure seventh-grade achievement in finding length, perimeter, area and volume when four different presentations of the problem were given: standard textbook problems, word problems, students measuring, and problems labeled differently than the standard textbook problems. Each of the 235 subjects took one of four different measurement skills testes developed by the researcher. Results indicate student achievement decreases as the complexity of the attribute increases. Overall, students found standard textbook problems the easiest to solve, followed by word problems, and students measuring, respectively. Problems labeled differently than the standard textbook problem were the most difficult for …

Produção De Materiais Didáticos De Ciências No Brasil, Período 1950 A 1980 [The Development Of Science Education Materials In Brazil From 1950 To 1980], Karl M. Lorenz, Vilma Marcassa Barra

Education Faculty Publications

O trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um movimento curricular surgido no Brasil, cujo objetivo era a elaboração de textos e materiais didáticos para o ensino de Ciências nas escolas de 1º e 2º graus. O estudo abrange o período de 1950 a 1980 e refere-se ás atividades desenvolvidos por três organizações: a Fundação Brasileira para o Desenvolvimento do Ensino de Ciências (FUNBEC), o Instituto Brasileiro de Educação, Ciências e Cultura (IBECC), e o Projeto Nacional para a Melhoria de Ensino de Ciências (PREMEN).

This article describes the curricular movement to develop primary and secondary school science texts and materials in …

Linear Measurement: A Prevocational Skills Curriculum Based On The Brigance Inventory Of Essential Skills, Linda Jane Kittle

All Graduate Projects

Student progress toward an educational goal can be enhanced by the use of a curriculum containing both assessment and instruction. This project is such a curriculum based on the linear measurement items of the Brigance Inventory of Essential Skills. The careful sequencing and prevocational nature of this curriculum, along with its record-keeping forms, make it especially useful for special education. It is also available as a data disk for use with Apple microcomputers.

Reading, Understanding, Remembering And Using Information In Written Science Materials., Larry Yore, James Shymansky

Educator Preparation & Leadership Faculty Works

With traditional science textbooks still dominating the market, it is projected that the use of print material and related reading skills will persist as the prime method of science instruction. The need to research reading-science issues exists. This paper attempts to define the task or desired outcomes of research in reading-science dimensions. Areas developed in this paper include: (1) science reading and comprehension; (2) theories of the reading process (illustrated by models); (3) research in science reading (presented by grade level, subject matter, and curricular programs); (4) reading comprehension and science achievement (emphasizing text structure); and (5) research trends and …

Toward A Concise Definition And Perspective For Biology, Arthur V. Brown, Kristine Basinger Brown

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The content of introductory biology courses at the high school and college levels are currently being re-examined. Many biological educators favor revision of the high school biology courses to a format that directly addresses current social issues to "promote good citizenship". We believe it would be more meaningful to teach the fundamental principles of biology, the study of living systems. Properly defining biology, by defining a living system, should help identify important topics to include in a basic biology course. Emphasis should be placed on subjects which would contribute most to the development of a basic understanding of how all …

What Energy? Whose Energy?, Sharon Lee Heikens

All Graduate Projects

With limited energy resources a global concern, American education has a responsibilitiy to present to the young people of America energy information which is as unbiased as possible. The curriculum developed in this project has been designed to engage eighth graders of the Kennewick school system in a variety of activities which, in addition to building on prior knowledge of energy, attempt to motivate students toward responsible attitudes and values in using energy resources.

A Supplementary Unit For The Average Level High School Geometry Course, Theresa Lynn Hulbert

All Graduate Projects

A set of worksheets were created to supplement high school geometry textbooks. The worksheet~ focus on the needs and abilities of the average or below average high school geometry students. The supplement consists of additional problems in areas where books are lacking, proofs with some of the statements or reasons filled in, and review problems.

Comparação Diacrônica Dos Estudos De Ciências E Humanidades No Currículo Secundário Brasileiro [A Diachronic Comparison Of Science And Humanities Studies In The Brazilian Secondary School Curriculum], Karl M. Lorenz, Ariclê Vechia

Education Faculty Publications

O estudo demonstra que em dezenove currículos adotados na escola secundária brasileira, no período 1838-1942, houve uma correlação negativa significativa entre a proporção de carga-horária designada que estudos de ciências e humanidades. Os resultados apoiam as observações encontradas na literatura, as quais sugerem que a importância atribuída a cada uma dessas áreas, nos currículos estudados, foi interdependente.

The study shows that in nineteen Brazilian secondary school curricula adopted during the years 1838-1942, there was a significant negative correlation between the proportion of hourly teaching loads assigned to science and humanities studies. The results support the contention that the importance attributed …

Illinois Science Academy: A Proposal To The State Of Illinois, Corridor Partnership For Excellence In Education, Friends Of Fermilab

IMSA History

There is a widely recognized perception that the nation facing a crisis in fulfilling its needs for citizens trained in the fields of science, mathematics and technology. In particular, the State of Illinois has an obligation toward this national issue and to .its own need to develop these human resources that are so intimately coupled to economic leadership in a post-industrial society. This is a very broad challenge; here we propose to address only one important aspect: the nurturing of creative excellence in students of science and mathematics. We are concerned with the extraordinarily gifted person--the upper few tenths of …

Nova University Graduate Education Modules (Gem) Programs Designed For Today's Educators 1983, Nova University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Nova University Graduate Education Modules (Gem) Programs Designed For Today's Educators 1983, Nova University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Student Learning Objectives For A One Semester Junior High Aerospace Course, Jerry Wayne Salstrom

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project was to write a list of instructional objectives for a one semester introductory aerospace course at the junior high level. The objectives would be classified by topic for the aerospace class or for interdisciplinary use by teachers in other subject areas. While not all-encompassing, the list would be broad enough to allow some selection by individual teachers in developing their own programs.

Concept And Scope Of Aerospace Education, Merridee L. Matson

All Graduate Projects

A teacher's guide, answering frequently asked questions about aerospace education, was developed to enhance a teacher's ability to study and describe the concept and scope of aerospace education. The questions determined the components of an aerospace education taxonomy. A major category of components included history, concept, reasons, resources·, methods, and people. Five additional categories were suggested. Major aerospace education publications from 1903 to 1983 were reviewed. A selection of documents best describing the concept component were included in the project.

Estudo Dos Currículos Do Curso De Engenharia Civil Da Escola Politécnica Do Rio De Janeiro: Introdução A Um Método De Analise Quantitativa [A Study Of The Curricula Of The Civil Engineering Program Of The Polytechnic School Of Rio De Janeiro: Introduction To A Quantitative Method Of Analysis], Karl M. Lorenz, Elisabeth Genehr, Elisabeth Drechsel

Education Faculty Publications

O trabalho aplica o Sistema de Analise Quantitativa do Currículo para descrever um conjunto de currículos do Curso de Engenharia Civil da Escola Politécnica do Rio de Janeiro, para os anos de 1810 a 1931.

The work applies a System of Quantitative Analysis of the Curriculum to describe a set of curricula of the Civil Engineering Program of the Polytechnic School of Rio de Janeiro, for the years 1810 to 1931.

The Cousteau Log Centering On Marine Animals For Elementary School Children, Annie Suffron

All Graduate Projects

"Centering on Marine Animals for Elementary School Children" was a multi-curricular learning center design in four parts. It consisted of an introduction on Bubbles the Whale, including a picture, a puppet, a song, a Sea Script, and task cards. Following the introduction were three units on Sea Monsters of the World, the Migration of the Grey Whale, and the Ecology of the Southern Sea Otter. Each unit contained a picture of the sea animal, a puppet, a song, a Sea Script, a Quiz, map(s), and task cards.

Pattern And Mathematics: Math Enrichment Activities For Gifted Fourth, Fifth And Sixth Grade Children, Janet K. Zuber

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide assistance to the elementary math teacher in meeting the needs of the student gifted in the area of math. A collection of activities is provided to use with gifted intermediate students and should serve as an example of the type of activities appropriate for the gifted student. These activities would be most appropriately used with gifted students in grades four through six. The activities would be of greatest benefit if students were grouped in a homogeneous manner with one teacher taking responsibility for their math needs, Homogeneous grouping would allow for faster-paced …

Development Of K-12 Science Handbook For The Thorp School District, Sim Egbert

All Graduate Projects

A handbook was created for the Thorp School District to provide teachers with science goals and objectives for each grade level. A science philosophy, a sample evaluation sheet, elementary science scope and sequence, a list of current textbooks, and the sequences of science classes were also presented in the handbook. Curriculum guides from several districts were studied before the goals and objectives were written for the handbook. The research on the needs of a curriculum and the past and current trends in science curriculum was reviewed. The literature regarding science curriculum supported the development of the handbook. Recommendations were proposed.

A Syllabus Of Enrichment Activities To Enhance Content Area Reading In Science, Lynn Carol Swanson

All Graduate Projects

A syllabus of 65 enrichment activities was developed to accompany the third grade Addison Wesley science text. The activities were designed to aid children in transferring study skills, context clues, comprehension and vocabulary from reading instruction to content material. Objectives and teaching strategies were developed to accompany each of 26 skills. Suggested vocabulary activities and materials were included. Each of the activities focused on helping students to transfer necessary study skills, context clues, and comprehension skills to the science text in order to improve their proficiency to read and use the text effectively.

Diagnostic/Prescriptive Teaching Of Language Arts And Mathematics, Molly Montz Sato

All Graduate Projects

The purpose of this project is to provide a Language Arts and Mathematics curriculum for the elementary level special education classroom by correlating remedial materials and activities to objectives determined by the Brigance Inventory of Basic Skills. This project is limited to the areas of Language Arts and Mathematics; however, the areas of Readiness and Reading are also tested by the Brigance.