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Day 1
Exploring Physics Learning in the Context of Light
Documenting Initial Ideas with Diagnostic Question
Exploring Light and Shadow Phenomena
Peer Instructor
Exploring Physics Learning in the context of Light To start off the course I asked students to think about a time in their life when they had enjoyed learning something about light, whether it be inside or out of the typical classroom. They were given a piece of paper to illustrate this. As Emily and I went around the classroom I realized that many of the students needed an additional push to keep thinking or expand on what they already had. I asked questions such as: what made this experience enjoyable? Who was teaching you at the time? Why was it enjoyable/memorable? And what fostered your leaning in this instance?
As the students introduced their selves and shared what they had drawn I saw a wide range of areas of learning. The most interesting to me was an idea based on natural light vs man made light and how that affects photography. The same student also expanded and explained how if something is beautiful it is more enjoyable to learn about. This perspective of science is interesting and may be a good way to look at things for a student who doesn't particularly enjoy science. Other students talked about the moon, sun, speed of light, sun shining through clouds, shadows, rainbows, and past school experiments. As a class we came up with a few aspects that foster learning: hands on activities, being able to learn from knowledgeable people that you are comfortable with, having an interest in what you are learning and being able to connect ideas to previous knowledge.
Exploring Light & Shadow Phenomena (outside) Students quickly realized the shadow plots were creating a straight line. Some questions arose about why the plot had to be oriented EW instead of NS. This class was able to quickly pick up the idea of facing south and the fact the east and west were now on opposite sides than when facing north. One student explained as if she is facing Canada the ocean will be on her left to the west, but if she faces Mexico the ocean will be on her right to the west. This was a great example and easy to picture and connect with.
Summary of the Day The main thing that I realized as a peer instructor rather than a student was that certain students ask more questions or are better at working in groups together. How can I get those groups that aren’t communicating to communicate with one another? The groups that were discussing and sharing experiences were able to finish the activity more completely and quicker than the other groups.
