Support Resources for Remodeled Physics (updated October 2010)

by Dwain Desbien and Eric Brewe

Spiral Physics

Paul D’Alessandris, Monroe Community College

Rochester, NY 14623

This is a wealth of conceptual/quantitative activities that have been designed with findings of physics education research in mind.

To download many modules for calculus-based physics and algebra-based physics:

Physics Ranking Tasks

Eds: Tom O’Kuma, David Maloney, Curt Hieggelke.

These are excellent items either for tests or as a basis for in-class discussion. They probe conceptual understanding rather than quantitative problem solving and we use them fairly extensively.

For descriptions of "classroom tasks inspired by physics education research" (TIPERS), visit

To see a sample of magnetism ranking tasks: Click on TIPERS

To order the book or an examination copy:

Visit and click on "educators", then search for

RANKING TASK EXERCISES IN PHYSICS: student edition. ($38.80 or less; 2004)

Or visit amazon.com and search for RANKING TASK EXERCISES IN PHYSICS. A quote there: "Although these materials are copyrighted …, professors have the right to use the materials for noncommercial educational purposes and can copy or have copied the materials in the book for the students in their classes... We have included a CD with this book that has a pdf version of each ranking task exercise in 8 1/2 x 11 format to further facilitate professors' use of these materials ..."

Includes Kinematics, Forces, 2-D motion, Work-energy, Impulse-momentum, Rotational motion, Properties of matter, Thermodynamics, Waves, Electrostatics, DC and resistive circuits, Magnetism and EM.

"The real power of these assessment tools is that they can quickly and clearly get at a student's alternative conceptions as to which physical variables might change a system's behavior. The items can be used as quiz and test questions as well as during class time as a "self-check" on "in-class check" by the educator to assist students in working through a Karplus learning cycle ..."

RealTime Physics

David Sokoloff, Ronald Thornton, Priscilla Laws. These are well written labs that encourage active learning. Visit (and Amazon.com - cheaper)

RealTime Physics, Active Learning Laboratories, Module 4: Light and Optics, 2nd Edition

by David R. Sokoloff, Priscilla W. Laws, Robert K. Thornton

Paperback, March 2004

US $48.95 (as of October 2010)

RealTime Physics, Active Learning Laboratories, Module 3: Electric Circuits, 2nd Edition

by David R. Sokoloff, Priscilla W. Laws, Robert K. Thornton

Paperback, February 2004

US $48.95

Real Time Physics Module 2: Heat and Thermodynamics, 2nd Edition

by David R. Sokoloff

Paperback, February 2004

US $38.95

Real Time Physics Module 1: Mechanics, 2nd Edition

by David R. Sokoloff

Paperback, January 2004

US $38.95 (as of October 2010)

Peer Instruction: Concept tests (updated in Oct. 2010)

Eric Mazur has developed hundreds of good conceptual questions.

For information and examples, visit

Eric Mazur borrowed some of his questions from Paul Hewitt -- download 60 at

Active Learning Problem Sheets (ALPS kits) (unfortunately, out of print in 2010)

by Alan Van Heuvelen

Hayden McNeil Publishing, Inc., 47461 Clipper, Plymouth, MI 48170

The ALPS kits include qualitative concept development activities, and problems that emphasize the use of multiple representations in physical processes.

------

In 2009 Jane Jackson asked the modelers which of these course materials they use most.

Dwain Desbien (Estrella Mtn CC) replied: "I use Spiral and Real Time Physics the most. The least is the Active learning problem sheets."

Brant Hinrichs (Drury College, Springfield, MO) replied: "Actually I eventually use them all during the course of a semester. And I think they are all very good. I just know some better than others so I use them more. I certainly use the spirit of them all throughout my semester.

If I had to rank, from most to least:

These three pretty equally: Spiral Physics, ranking tasks, real time physics

This one less: peer instruction concept tests

This one even less: Active Learning ..."

1