Maths and Physics at CSHS

Physics Conference 2008 (AIP/STAV)

Keynote: Maria James VCAA

In this presentation Maria mainly discussed he review process for the new Physics Study Design. This was only a minor review as it was discussed that with the possibility of a new national science curriculum by 2011 that the study design as it exists may not be relevant after this time. Having said this the new study design is certified until 2012. The main points of this discussion highlighted/considered/included;

• No new concepts
• Teacher workload
• Clarification of dot points in previous study design
  • Splitting some old points into 2
  • Including symbols and equations
  • Making some concepts explicit Specifying what is not included

• The inclusion of Key skills at the start
• Use of a cognitive triangle using 14 verbs across all outcomes (a version of the revised Blooms Taxonomy)
• Change in structure with added flexibility between Unit 1 & 2 Areas of Study

Maria also discussed the lag between VCE enrolments in Physics compared with other VCE Sciences. One point that was made about this was that Physics is only a pre-requisite for 4% of Tertiary Courses as opposed to Chemistry (14%) and Maths Methods (22%).
Other anomalies that also exists between Physics and other VCE Sciences being;

• The drop off between Unit 1 and Unit 2 enrolments.
• Gender inequality with general a 60/40 split between boys and girls.

Session A8 Youtube Physics Chris Jones University High

This session was probably not as useful as I would have hoped as my experience seemed to be at the same level if not above that of Chris’. He did however provide some good resources to look at such as;
• Wake Forest University
• Colorado State University
• Rutgers Physics Teaching Technologies

Other more specific Youtube clips/ keyword searches he suggested to look at included;

• Rubens Tube
  • Standing waves

• Auroras
• Glass breaking waves
• Dr Altmans Channel

Chris also suggested setting up a Youtube Channel which I have done using the Channel name of Coburgmaths.

Session B11 Helicopters in Detailed Study: Aerospace Kelvin Barraclough Gisborne SC

This session acted as an overview of the theory behind the flight of helicopters. It was quite dense but still had some content that I could follow. It was obvious that Kelvin is very interested in flight, being a volunteer at the Aviation Museum in Point Cook.

Session C14 Vernier LabQuest stand alone data logging Mal Johnson and John Cadogan

As we have recently purchased a Vernier LabQuest I thought this may have been a good opportunity to get some PD and meet people who have already been using it.

Mal Johnson from Mazenod College in WA (johnson.mal@mazenod.wa.edu.au) was the educator involved in delivering this session. John Cadogan as far as I could tell was the Scientrific Rep who provided the info on licensing and purchasing etc.

This session covered a few areas of interest. In particular the use of an emulator which is like a virtual LabQuest display that you could use with a digital projector to analyse data with the students and show them more clearly how the LabQuest works. John said I may be able to get a copy of this for free if I send him an email (john@scientrific.com.au)

Another interesting way of using the LabQuest is to collect the data with the students and then load this onto a USB and transfer to the K Drive. Since all students will also have access to the LoggerPro software (even at home) they will then be able to go and analyse the data independantly at home opr collaboratively with others.

The LabQuest can also be used as an interface by plugging it into my Mac and collecting data and analysing it on a digital projector.

The LoggerPro software is updated through the LoggerPro website

Session D4 Video analysis with Vernier Logger Pro Gary Bass