![]() She returned to the traditional format in Physics 212 (University Physics: Electricity & Magnetism) and found it to be tedious at times. In addition to its use in Physics 101 labs, Selen tested a previous iteration of IOLab in select Physics 211 sections, where Holloway experienced the new approach. The engineering company Indesign produced recent iterations of the device. Subsequent in-class trials returned positive responses from students, garnering Selen and Stelzer an NSF grant and funding from Macmillan Publishers. The device has three wheels and records motion data.įellow physics professor Tim Stelzer worked with Selen to produce early prototypes of the device. Users can add their data to an online repository and view other data sets and experiments. Measurements are displayed on the computer in real time as data is recorded. IOLab works in a similar way, with a USB-powered chip that connects the device to downloadable software. ![]() The two boards could communicate with each using wireless radio chips. Selen got his idea from a simple development kit that had two circuit boards, one powered by USB and the other by a battery. It also has the capability to take an electrocardiogram (EKG), which Selen hopes to incorporate into future physics labs. The device’s sensors include light, high gain, analog/digital, battery, and force, as well as a microphone, accelerometer, gyroscope, thermometer, barometer, and magnetometer. Selen’s approach also relies on a device of his own creation, called the IOLab, that allows students to easily take their own data measurements in the lab or at home. “We were more motivated and excited for the lab because it was on us to design it.” ![]() “My lab section enjoyed using the IOLabs and understood lecture concepts better because of them,” said mechanical engineering sophomore Veronica Holloway. But about halfway through the semester they settle into a mode where they know this is what we do and they think it’s fine.” “They’re used to being told exactly what to do. The IOLab device comes with accessory components for various data collection.“Students are a little resistant at first,” Selen said. They work in groups to design their own setup and carry out their experiment while writing a collective lab report. PHYSICS 101 LAB 2 UIUC HOW TOSelen’s new approach is much the opposite: students are given a short handout describing the hypothesis and goal of the experiment, with suggestions and tips for how to measure their data. In the physics department’s traditional lab configuration, students complete pre-made worksheets while following step-by-step instructions for each experiment. The changes, seen in Physics 101 (College Physics: Mechanics & Heat), will soon impact MechSE undergraduates when the new approach is introduced in the required course Physics 211 (University Physics: Mechanics). Physics professor Mats Selen has developed a new approach for teaching lower-level physics labs that emphasizes students’ innovation. ![]()
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