Welcome to
Studio Physics 2054
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Dr. Jeff Bindell
[email protected]
Class Website: www.physics.ucf.edu/~bindell
TEXTBOOK
College Physics (8th Edition) by Cutnell & Johnson, John Wiley & Sons, (2009)- (Vol. II)
NOTE:
LEARNING
There’s Got to be a Better Way!
Dr. Bindell’s Last Lecture Class
We Believe This Is It!
What is Studio?
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A combined Class-Room/Laboratory
approach to teaching physics.
4 Credits. (2 hour sessions – 3 days/week)
Electricity, Magnetism and Optics form the
bulk of this course.
Virtually no long formal lectures
Peer Instruction
This approach is now finding increased use
at many schools across the country.
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MIT uses it exclusively
What’s Different about
Studio Physics???
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More Informality to Instruction
T-shaped Tables
Group Approach to Learning / Learning
Together
Class Discussions
Low Student/Faculty Ratio
Students have the responsibility both for
learning and for teaching.
Learning Physics
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Memorize
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Understanding
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X
Remember the formulas
Remember the definitions
Remember the solutions to ALL problems that you have
ever seen solved in any Physics class in the universe.
Cognitive understanding of physics
Remember some formulas but you can usually derive
them.
Solve problems through understanding of the underlying
physics principles.
The Lecture Mode of Learning
The Studio Mode of Learning
1
• Problem posed to
group
2
• Experiment
performed by group
3
• Results explained
by group
Cognitive Understanding
Group
Don’t forget the evil
textbook!
More:
The Studio Mode of Learning
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Open and read that big expensive ugly thing
that you bought: the textbook.
Use the book to complete your classroom
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General Study
Homework
Problem: “T” shaped table environment 
“T” Table Rules
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3 students on each side of the T
Each table has 2 groups of students
In some experiments, all 6 students will work
as a combined team (some equipment and
space limitations)
SILENCE is forbidden (except when I am
talking!)
Discussions are required!
Stay on task – no web surfing unless it is
needed for the classwork.
Some Advantages of Combined
“Lecture” - Laboratory Format
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Lecture and Labs are Synchronized
Labs are exploratory rather than governed by
step by step instructions
Some “Labs” will be problem solving
exercises.
You may have to search (internet, textbook)
for information to assist with activity
Again, Talking is encouraged rather than
forbidden!
Learning Modes In Studio
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Listening
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Seeing
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Studying textbook
Discussing
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Demonstrations
Reading
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Mini Lecture
Student Presentations/Arguments
Peer “Instruction”
Touching & Experiencing.
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Exploratory Laboratory Experiments
Groups
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You may form initial groups of three to begin
the program. You would be better off
teaming with people you do NOT know well.
Group assignments will be changed after
each examination to maintain proper balance.
Please wear nametags so we can all get to
know each other.
STUDIO APPROACH
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Peer Instruction
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You will solve problems and do experiments
with your group.
 Some problems will seem very strange and
difficult.
 You will learn the value of a team approach
to learning.
You will argue with each other and with other
groups in your “quest” for understanding.
You may present your findings or solutions to
the rest of the class (always optional).
Your classes should be more “fun” than the
older approach.
You may not be happy about
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Limited Lecture … you have to learn some of the
material yourself or with your group.
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Your brain goes numb after 10 minutes of lecture anyway.
You can fall asleep during a lecture after 15 minutes.
You will not fall asleep in this class format.
Internet Oriented
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Information on what is happening is obtained from the
class page: www.physics.ucf.edu/~bindell
Information needed to solve “problems” or complete
“activities” may be obtained from the web.
You are RESPONSIBLE for information presented to you
on the class page … whether we tell you about it or not!
Some insight into this
approach:
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You are an archeology student.
You are led to the opening of a cave.
You are to explore the cave.
You have a little flashlight which illuminates
small areas only.
Now … let’s enter the cave.
This is what you see.
Then you trip over a rock.
OR…
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With the same flashlight you are told:
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Read about caves in your textbook.
Go into the cave.
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Watch out for rocks on the floor of the cave.
Check out the WALLS of the cave.
You can go in with other students, each with an
additional flashlight.
In you go again …..
See the difference??
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You were given some guidance.
You were NOT told what to expect, only
given a suggestion as to where to look.
You “discovered” cave drawings.
You had done a bit of pre-reading and you
therefore knew more about what you were
looking at.
You learned more than if you were just given
pictures of cave drawings in a lecture!
DOES IT WORK?
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We can judge how well a student has learned
and understood the semester’s work by:
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Giving a “pre-diagnostic test”
Giving a “post-diagnostic test” (at the end of the
semester)
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These “tests” do not “count” in your grade but we can
tell via the test design if you are messing with us and
we will kill you.
We will try to do this within the first two weeks.
We use these and other tools to decide if we are
successful.
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Let’s take a brief look
Peer Instruction - Compare
FINAL EXAM RESULTS
(Old Data)
Conventional
Peer
Normalized Gain (An analogy)
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Weight Watchers (loss is a gain!)
You are given a goal of how many pounds
you should lose to get to your ideal weight
You weigh 235 and you need to get to 190.
You get to 215
Attained: 20 lb loss
“Max”: 45 lbs
Normalized loss = 20/45=44%
You can compare these normalized losses
with the other people in your class.
SCALE-UP – Normalized Gain
Pretest is where you
Start off.
You want to attain
100%
Some Procedures
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Lab Notebook
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A loose leaf notebook will probably work best.
Download labs and keep in notebook. 3-hole punch
recommended
Keep class problem solutions & homework problems
Class observations and exercises
Lecture and Class notes
Notebook Grade
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The notebook is divided into sections/experiments.
Periodically, a particular section will be collected and graded.
The grading will probably be “unfair!”
The notebook average will be your class grade. (later)
Class Sessions
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Monday and Wednesday
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Fridays
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Regular sessions
Occasionally Friday will be like a Monday or Wednesday.
Fridays will often concentrate on problem solving and
Review
Discussions
Quizzes (15 minutes)/Exams (50 minutes)
This can only work if you complete the labs
on schedule.
Operations
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Homework system is WebAssign
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Initial Password is “ihatephysics”
Your old password may still work.
Your ID is your PID without the leading letter.
Clicker System
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i-clicker
be sure that the ID is
not obliterated.
Types of WebAssignments
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Normal Homework ~ 6-10 problems per week
Reading Assignments prior to class with a
few simple questions to make sure you are
prepared for class.
You are encouraged to collaborate on
homework assignments with your group
members. Separate submissions are
required.
Quiz Schedule
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There will be a quiz almost EVERY Friday.
Most will be based upon a structured problem
solving protocol – group or individual- (you will
find out about this later or check the web site for
information)
Exams will also be usually given on a
Wednesday. Be careful about making travel
arrangements until you know when the exams
will be.
Your Grade
Item
%
Mid Semester Examinations (4)
20
Final Examination
20
Homework
15
In Class Quizzes
15
Class Participation (Clicks)
15
Laboratory Work
15
Grading Schema
SCORE
GRADE
85-100
A
75-84
B
60-74
C
50-59
D
Less than 50
F
Grades – Last Semester
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
A
B
C
D
W
I
Course Structure
START
ELECTRICITY
MAGNETISM
INDUCTION
MAXWELL
OPTICS
Final Comments ..
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Learning is really YOUR RESPONSIBILITY in
Studio Physics.
You may be frustrated occasionally because the
instructional staff does not give you all of the
answers or validate your individual or group
conclusions.
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This is so that you will really THINK these things out.
Thinking is a good thing!
REMEMBER: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
CHECKING THE CLASS WEBSITE AND
WebAssign often.
ASSIGNMENT FOR
WEDNESDAY:
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Register for WA
Procure an i-clicker and register it (see syllabus on
class website.)
Read the first few sections about charge in the
textbook.
There will be an initial WA assignment posted but
don’t do it quite yet. It is due Sunday evening and it
is fairly easy!
Dr. Bindell, May I be excused? My brain is full.
This presentation will be
found on the class page.
Take a 5 minute break
and then we will do
our first problem!!