Abstract of Paper to be presented at the AAPT Winter Meeting in Anaheim, CA, USA, 9-14 January 1999.

Link to the presentation slides (pdf-format).

Using active engagement labs in upper level mechanics courses*

Jonte Bernhard, Högskolan Dalarna, S-78188 Borlänge, Sweden.

Many students in intermediate and advanced mechanics courses have problems making the connection between theory and the real world phenomena described by the theory in the courses. This hampers student comprehension. One reason for this is that advanced and intermediate mechanics courses are traditionally (at least in Sweden) theoretical with no student laboratory experiments. Another reason is that many students passes introductory mechanics courses without acquiring a functional understanding of fundamental concepts. We are now developing "simple" hands-on experiments which have been included in our upper-level mechanics course since the 1997/98 academic year and we will present our implementation. By using computer interfacing equipment (we are using PASCO Science Workshop interface and software) advanced analysis, like FFT-analysis, can be performed on simple equipment. Video-capture equipment is also used. By using simultaneously using computers and a hands-on approach advanced concepts and student comprehension are reinforced.

*This work is supported by the Swedish National Board for Higher Education, Council for Renewal of Undergraduate Education.