Computers in physics instruction

SEP 01, 1969

In a rapidly growing field computers talk to students, simulate experiments, calculate and perform many special tasks. Problems remain to be solved, but if advantages are exploited and costs reduced, computers should become effective, uncomplaining tutors.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3035781

Guenter Schwarz

Ora M. Kromhout

Steve Edwards

THE PHENOMENAL IMPACT of the modern digital computer on our society has not bypassed physics instruction. As early as the late 1950’s and early 1960’s research was going on at the Universities of Michigan and Illinois on computers in science and engineering education. Development of the field was stimulated by two conferences in 1965 at the University of California, Irvine, and the University of Washington. The reports on these conferences are basic references for anyone wishing to look further into the subject. The number and variety of current projects in the field is increasing rapidly, as indicated by the sections devoted to the subject at annual meetings of the American Association of Physics Teachers.

References

1. Instruction by Design: A Report on the Conference on New Instructional Materials in Physics Held at the University of Washington, Summer 1965, Commission on College Physics, College Park, Md.
2. The Computer in Physics Instruction: Report of the Conference on the Uses of the Computer in Undergraduate Physics Instruction Held November 4–6, 1965 at the University of California, Irvine, Commission on College Physics, College Park, Md.
3. A. M. Bork, “Least Action via Computer,” Am. J. Phys. 37, 386 (1969).https://doi.org/AJPIAS
4. J. Weizenbaum, “Contextual Understanding by Computers,” Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery 10, 474 (1967).
5. E. F. Taylor, “Automated Tutoring and its Discontents,” Am. J. Phys. 36, 496 (1968).https://doi.org/AJPIAS
6. Short Films for Physics Teaching: A Catalog, Commission on College Physics, College Park, Md. (1967).
7. A. Goldberg, H. M. Schey, J. L. Schwartz, “Computer‐Generated Motion Pictures of One‐Dimensional Quantum‐Mechanical Transmission and Reflection Phenomena,” Am. J. Phys. 35, 177 (1967).https://doi.org/AJPIAS
8. J. L. Schwartz, E. F. Taylor, “Computer Displays in the Teaching of Physics,” American Federation of Information Processing Societies Conference Proceedings 33, 1285 (1968).
9. W. Stenberg et al., Calculus: A Computer Oriented Presentation, Center for Research in College Instruction of Science and Mathematics, Tallahas‐see, Fla. (preliminary edition, 1968).
10. “Computer Classroom,” Intermediate Science Curriculum Study Newsletter, no. 3, October 1967, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla.
11. A. M. Bork, “Computers in High School Physics,” The Physics Teacher 6, 296 (1968).
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More about the Authors

Guenter Schwarz. Center for Research, College Instruction of Science and Mathematics, Florida State University.

Ora M. Kromhout. Computer Assisted Instruction Center of Florida State.

Steve Edwards. Florida State.