A few Quick questions about improving physics education

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around improving physics education for undergraduates, focusing on the resources students utilize when they encounter difficulties with homework problems. The conversation seeks insights from students about their preferred methods of seeking help and what they consider ideal solutions when stuck.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Stephen, a physics teacher, inquires about the resources students typically turn to when struggling with homework, including texts, classmates, tutors, professors, and websites.
  • Stephen asks for insights on what students would consider an ideal solution when they are particularly stuck on a problem.
  • A participant clarifies that the inquiry is directed specifically at students, not instructors.
  • Another participant shares their experience, stating they often look for online videos for help but find the availability lacking. They suggest that recording lessons and uploading them to platforms like YouTube could be beneficial for students.
  • A participant corrects a spelling mistake in their previous post, indicating a focus on clarity in communication.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion does not present a consensus, as participants are still sharing their experiences and suggestions without a definitive agreement on the best resources or solutions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion is limited by the lack of detailed responses from students regarding their resource preferences and ideal solutions, as well as the absence of a comprehensive list of resources that might be helpful.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to educators seeking to enhance physics teaching methods, as well as students looking for effective strategies to tackle physics homework challenges.

quantumsuperposition
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Hi Everyone,

I am a physics teacher who is working on methods to make physics education easier to grasp for undergrads. I was wondering for help on a few questions I have for any currently struggling in general physics.

When you find yourself stuck on a problem for homework, which resources do you normally go first for help and what is the usual ordering of them? (resources could be texts, classmates, tutors, professors, websites, etc)

In those situations where you are really stuck, what would the ideal solution be for you?

I will happily take private messages if that makes things easier. Thanks so much for your insight, I deeply appreciate it!

-Stephen
 
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quantumsuperposition said:
Hi Everyone,

I am a physics teacher who is working on methods to make physics education easier to grasp for undergrads. I was wondering for help on a few questions I have for any currently struggling in general physics.

When you find yourself stuck on a problem for homework, which resources do you normally go first for help and what is the usual ordering of them? (resources could be texts, classmates, tutors, professors, websites, etc)

In those situations where you are really stuck, what would the ideal solution be for you?

I will happily take private messages if that makes things easier. Thanks so much for your insight, I deeply appreciate it!

-Stephen

Just so I'm clear, are you asking students or other instructors?
 
Sorry, I mean this toward students specifically. Thanks for the response!
 
quantumsuperposition said:
Sorry, I mean this toward students specifically. Thanks for the response!

I just finished Physics 11 last semester, taking Physics 12 next year.
I would usually go online and try finding videos but there's not many out there.
It would have been really useful if the teacher recorder her lessons with audio of her explaining it and then uploading to youtube.
For example -
This teacher records his lessons in class and he uploaded them to Youtube. These videos helped me a great deal and if you did the same it probably would too and for future classes.
 
Spelling mistake above, Recorded*.
 

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