2007

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Miles Attends 'Physics' Workshop Physics instructor William M. "Billy" Miles of East Central Community College in Decatur, recently attended a workshop on Data Visualization and Strategies (DYTS) held at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. Miles, who resides in Mo rton , was among selected participants representing college and high school physics educators from eight states and Puerto Rico who attended the physics professional development project, sponsored by Lee College (Texas), Estrella Mountain Community College {Arizona) and the Advanced Technological Education Program of the National Science Foundation. At the DVTS workshop, Miles was introduced to a variety of innovated data visualization approaches applicable to students in both high school and two-year college courses in physics. Miles workedwith video-based motion analysis in a wide range of applications, including the teaching laboratory, projects and homework that are appropriate for ;)tudents ~pecializi,,g n techmcal fields. Anothe r innovative approach that Miles worked withwas the use ofGlobal Positioning System (GPS) technology and how GPS can be used in the physics program at ECCC. Additionally. Miles worked with tasks developed using results from phys1cs education research. During this hands-on workshop, Miles became familiar with these innovative approaches and learned ways to implement these approaches and tasks with students at ECCC.

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During the workshop, Miles had an opportunity to develop new materials for students in a collaborative group ofother two-year college and high school educators. One of the primary goals of the workshop was to show how these ideas could be implemented at the two-year colleges and high schools. The workshop leaders have many years of experience in developing and refming curriculum for introductory physics students. In addition. and more importantly, the workshop leaders have extensive experience with the implementation and adaptation of curriculum in a variety of institutions and for many types ofintroductoryphysics students along with the training of faculty in using and developing their own

William M. "Billy" Miles

curricula for their technology oriented students. Workshop leaders included Martin Mason of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, CA; J. B. Sharma of Gainesville State College, Gainesville, GA: Dwain Desbien of Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale, AZ; and Tom O'Kuma ofLee College in Baytown, TX. Recent physics education research indicates that the "traditional" lecture-style, passive learning model does not substantially impact the learning ofmost students who take introductory physics. Research also indicates that most students enter introductory phy::.i s with alternative conceptions to many of the basic concepts that are taught in introductory physics. The adaptable curriculums highlighted in this workshop addressed both these issues and have a track record ofgreat success from students using these

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curricular approaches.

This workshop was the 1 fourth of 12 workshops and TON RECORD - ----- – conferences that will be offered at varioustwo-year collegesitesaround IDIAN STAR--- ------ thenatio~as partoftheATE Program RION-LEDGER for Phys1cs Faculty. -------- lillie-ACT ----------------------------

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