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Teacher Education at Illinois State University

PHYSICS 287 -- INDEPENDENT STUDY (Physics by Inquiry)

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Fall Semester 2011

(Under revision; last updated 6/02/2011)

Catalog Description:

 INDEPENDENT STUDY (Physics by Inquiry)   var. s.h.  Fall/Spring

This informal optional course allows students to address specialized interests or needs. This particular independent study course is restricted to Physics Teacher Education majors at the junior or senior level. Contact program coordinator for details.

Instructor:

Name: Carl J. Wenning, Ed.D.
Physics Teacher Education Program
Office Location: Moulton Hall, Room 301
Office Hours: drop in or by appointment
Telephone: (309) 830-4085 (cell)
E-mail address: wenning@phy.ilstu.edu

Meeting Days/Times/Location:

Because this course is an independent study, students will complete work on an "arrange" basis working with at least one other student. Students should arrange a mutually agreeable time with one another and with the instructor of record. The course activities will take place in Moulton 307-B unless another room is arranged.

Methodology:

Student teams should plan to work for not less than six hours per week throughout the semester to make their way through all readings, activities, and worksheets associated with the Physics by Inquiry curriculum. During these work times students will complete several units from the two-volume series by the same name. Students develop and stick with a regular plan of work, and keep the instructor of record up to date on material needs. Students may seek assistance from the instructor of record as necessary.

Suggested Time Line:

To keep you on track so that work gets completed in a timely fashion (and to avoid the last minute rush), it is suggested that you adapt your work schedule to allow you to turn in the various units according to the following time line ASSUMING TWO SEMESTER HOURS OF CREDIT:

FOR THREE SEMESTER HOURS OF CREDIT, students will select two additional units for completion in cooperation with the instructor of record.

Course Goals:

The goals of this independent study course are to help the teacher candidate:

Required Text and Other Resources:

The readings, activity guidelines, and worksheets in this independent study course will come from two volumes. The volumes will be available on a "closed reserve" basis to the students. Students are not required to purchase any additional materials for this course.

Student Performance Assessment:

Students must individually create a portfolio in which they include all required activities and worksheet assignments. Work associated with activities and worksheets are expected to be complete, thorough, and free of error. This portfolio must consist of the three-ring binder with appropriate identifying information on the outside cover and dividers between each of the units. It should contain a clearly designated unit-by-unit reflection of "teaching notes" - things you should keep in mind should you ever teach this curriculum. The reflections need not be more than a paragraph or two, but can be longer than that if it satisfies your need to document this experience.

Grading:

The final course grade will be determined on the basis of the number of satisfactorily completed and scored units submitted by 4 P.M. on the Friday of finals week. NO INCOMPLETE GRADES OR TIME EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED. Units must be completed in the above sequence starting with Heat and Temperature. Grades will be assigned on the following basis (2 versus 3 semester hours):

Academic Integrity:

Students are expected to be honest in all academic work. A student's name on any in academic exercise shall be regarded as assurance that the work is the result of the student's own efforts. Offenses involving academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, the following: cheating, computer dishonesty, plagiarism, grade falsification, and collusion. For more information about this important topic, visit the Student Dispute Resolution Web site.

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