Drawing techniques from physics education research in context rich problem solving, a set of application based problems were developed to address student complaints regarding the applicability of the introductory mechanics courses. The problems were implemented as a weekly bonus problem in the calculus based physics course. The students who completed the problems found them to be more interesting than the traditional problems. To find what the opinion of the student body at large was, a survey was given. No statistically significant trends were shown. To get a qualitative understanding, interviews were conducted. The majority of the students interviewed stated that they would like to see the application based problems balanced with the traditional problems in the mechanics classes.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lemoi, Kyle P.

Subject

• Learning
• Community

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-031511-103323

Keyword

• Science--Study and teaching
• Interdisciplinary approach in education
• Education, Higher

Advisor

• Koleci, Carolann

Year

• 2011

Date created

• 2011-03-15

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright