UniServe Science, The University of Sydney
Enhancing Australian Science and Mathematics education
CAUT Grants in Physics 1994
This project aims to reconstruct the Quantum Physics
component of the First Year Physics unit for electronics
and computer engineers. It is envisaged that this
conceptually difficult and often counter-intuitive material
will be presented in context from the top down, starting
with electronic applications and delving down to the
quantum phenomena involved. A multimedia module is to be
constructed as it is an ideal vehicle for presenting this
type of material where there is a considerable intellectual
leap required to connect the observed phenomena with the
unobservable subatomic workings that are responsible.
Host institution: University of Canberra
Leader: Dr Andrew D Cheetham
Partner: Dr J P Rayner
Contact address: Information Sciences and Engineering, University of Canberra,
PO Box 1, BELCONNEN ACT 2616
TEL: (06) 201 2196
FAX: (06) 201 5041
E-Mail: adc@ise.canberra.edu.au
This project will produce a computer based assignment
package which is self paced and provides 24 hour access via
modem and E-MAIL. The package will comprise 600 formatted
questions and answers and will be capable of generating a
profile for each student for evaluation by the teacher.
Host institution: The University of Wollongong
Leader: Dr Roger A Lewis
Contact address: Dept of Physics, The University of Wollongong, Northfields
Ave, WOLLONGONG NSW 2522
TEL: (042) 213 518
FAX: (042) 213 151
E-Mail: r.lewis@uow.edu.au
This project aims to improve the quality of learning of
undergraduate physics students by developing a package that
enables them to interact with current research data as part
of an existing course. The subject matter is a fundamental
area of physics and high technology: particle physics. It
is an area in which students cannot carry out laboratory
experiments due to the complex and extremely expensive
nature of the equipment, yet it is an area where a good
understanding is important and leads on to future research.
A component of this project will be a computer simulation.
It will differ from traditional simulations in that it will
present students with contemporary research data from the
School of Physics, not simulated data. This concept is
considered significant as it will act as a pilot model
through which undergraduate students can access research
data as part of their studies. It is planned to expand the
project into other areas, enriching students' courses with
the excitement of current research.
Host institution: University of Melbourne
Leader: Mr Jon Malcolm Pearce
Partners: Dr David Jamieson, Dr Geoff Taylor
Contact address: School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Carlton Campus,
PARKVILLE VIC 3052
TEL: (03) 344 8748
FAX: (03) 344 8739
E-Mail: jon_pearce@muwayf.unimelb.edu.au
The teaching and practice of physics at all levels is
changing because of the wide availability of personal
computers. A successful scheme (MUPPET) already exists to
teach students to use these new tools, as do professional
physicists. This project aims to extend that scheme so
that it can be used by more courses within our own
department, and more departments and universities within
Australia.
Host institution: University of Sydney
Leader: Dr Ian Desmond Johnston
Partners:R C McPhedran, P J Walker, E F Redish
Contact address: School of Physics, University of Sydney, SYDNEY NSW 2006
TEL: (02) 692 2637
FAX: (02) 660 2903
E-Mail idj@physics.su.oz.au
The vast increase in student numbers at universities, from
5% to over 30% in 20 years, and a range of abilities
together with continually tightening budgets has forced us
to re-engineer our traditional notions of physics courses,
with the aim of teaching better with less. Of the 800
students enrolled in our physics courses, about 300 have
had little or no previous physics education and many others
have a poor understanding of the basic physics concepts.
In 1992 we embarked on developing an innovative computer-
based multimedia interactive program to empower all first
year students in self-directed learning of fundamental
physics concepts. We have made significant progress in
this state-of-the-art educational technology and now seek
funding to complete this courseware package. Following
trialing and evaluation, we intend to disseminate the
materials Australia-wide.
Leader: Dr Marjan George Zadnik
Partners:R Loss
D Sands
D F Treagust
Address: School of Physical Sciences
Curtin University of Technology
GPO Box U 1987
PERTH WA 6001
TEL: (09) 351 2326
FAX: (09) 351 2377
Thermodynamics is a discipline which traditionally is
poorly received by students. However, a sound knowledge of
thermodynamics is essential to Mechanical Engineers,
Chemical Engineers, Petroleum Engineers, Chemists,
Physicists, Mineral Scientists and Metallurgists. This
proposal seeks to take advantage of the recent advances in
multimedia technology for personal computers to
demonstrate/illustrate some of the difficult conceptual
concepts encountered by Science and Engineering students in
thermodynamics.
Host institution: University of Western Australia
Leader: Dr Robert Donald Trengove
Contact address: Department of Chemistry, University of Western Australia,
Stirling Highway, NEDLANDS WA 6009
TEL: (09) 380 3163
FAX: (09) 380 1005
E-Mail: trengove@uniuse.uwa.edu.au
This project will produce a computer based assignment
package which is self paced and provides 24 hour access via
modem and E-MAIL. The package will comprise 600 formatted
questions and answers and will be capable of generating a
profile for each student for evaluation by the teacher.
Host institution: The University of Wollongong
Leader: Dr Roger A Lewis
Contact address: Dept of Physics, The University of Wollongong, Northfields
Ave, WOLLONGONG NSW 2522
TEL: (042) 213 518
FAX: (042) 213 151
E-Mail: r.lewis@uow.edu.au
The massive increase in university numbers in recent years
has resulted in a student intake with a broad range of
abilities and diverse backgrounds. These changes, together
with other factors, have contributed to a decrease in
overall performance of students in science and engineering,
especially in first year. During first semester 1993 we
piloted a new "survival skills" unit specifically designed
to assist first year students in science and Engineering
courses develop knowledge and skills necessary for
successful tertiary study. The unit includes topics such
as problem solving, error analysis, scientific graphing,
computer awareness, laboratory and report writing, self-
directed learning and positive impact on human and
financial resources. This project seeks support to expand
and evaluate this unit and develop appropriate student and
staff materials for use Australia-wide.
Host institution: Curtin University of Technology
Leader: Dr Robert Domenic Loss
Partner: Dr M Zadnik
Contact address: Dept of Applied Physics, Curtin University of Technology, GPO
Box U 1987, PERTH WA 6001
TEL: (09) 351 7747
FAX: (09) 351 3277
E-Mail: rlossrd@cc.curtin.edu.au
Collaborative learning and peer group interaction by
computer conferencing and e-mail will be implemented for
selected units in Science and Technology Policy and in Law.
The learning design enhancements sought for selected Law
units relate to small group cooperation in creating ideas,
retrieving resources and assembling documents, whilst for
Science and Technology Policy units the need is for
graduate courseware seminars in which individuals present
their own papers for a structured process of critical
review and discussion by the whole class. Broader outcomes
include operational procedures for efficient and effective
induction of students and staff into computer conferencing,
tangible examples of techniques and outcomes for
demonstration to other Programs, and user education
resources in the form of manuals, disk files and video
clips, to extend the use of computer mediated
communications into other fields of study.
Host institution: Murdoch University
Leader: Dr Roger J Atkinson
Partners:Ms Carolyn Wilson, Mr Archie Zariski
Contact address: External Studies, Murdoch University, MURDOCH WA 6150
TEL: (09) 360 2240
FAX: (09) 310 4929
E-Mail: atkinson@csuvax1.murdoch.edu.au
Successful student involvement in this program will enhance
students' research skills, increase their involvement in
and ownership of their learning process and develop both
individual and teamwork skills. To achieve this end,
students will undertake a series of three carefully
selected practical problems of graded complexity requiring
students to undertake an investigation of the current
research literature and the subsequent design and
implementation of experimental protocol.
Host institution: University of Western Sydney
Leader: Dr Elizabeth Margaret Deane
Partner: Dr Margaret Seto-Poon
Contact address: Faculty of Science and Technology, Westmead Campu, University
of Western Sydney, PO Box 10, KINGSWOOD NSW 2047
TEL: (02) 685 9532
FAX: (02) 685 9525
The purpose of this project is to develop a state-of-the-
art learning package which will enable students at the
beginning of their course to construct effective foundation
concepts in electricity. Because they are not intuitive
and because students have strongly held concepts of their
own for electrical phenomena those concepts are poorly
understood by many students. Strategies for change leading
to deep understanding (to replace algorithmic learning)
have been developed here and are suitable for multimedia
delivery so that students will be able to use them prior to
or concurrently with their studies. This will be a
prototype for further packages in subjects where abstract
concepts have been developed.
Host institution: University of Technology, Sydney
Leader: Dr Mark Cosgrove
Partners:W G Hooper, S Alexander
Contact address: Faculty of Education, University of Technology, Sydney PO Box
222, LINDFIELD NSW 2070
TEL: (02) 330 5282
FAX: (02) 330 5556
Undergraduate science students need regular study and
feedback to gain facility with concepts and calculations,
and Computer Managed Learning (CML) is very successful in
providing the needed incentive and feedback in large
undergraduate classes. However, extant CML systems do not
utilise the full power of computing technology of the
1990's. This project is concerned with development of a
modern CML system and its integration into a large first-
year science subject. The CML system will: (a) provide
standard CML features with provision for upgrading; (b)
utilise state of the art computing technology adaptable to
any delivery platform over a network; and (c) incorporate
user-friendly desktop publishing techniques for authoring
and editing.
Host institution: University of Queensland
Leader: Dr Robert Leland Blakeley
Partners:J de Jersey, S E Hamilton, C Zimitat
Contact address: Department of Biochemistry, University of Queensland, BRISBANE
QLD 4072
TEL: (07) 365 4612
FAX: (07) 365 4699
E-Mail blakeley@biosci.uq.edu.au
Tertiary studies towards BSc degrees invariably involve
timetabled lectures and laboratory experiments, and little
flexibility exists particularly in the Junior and
Intermediate years. Since 1992, the BSc degree at the
University of Sydney permits students of merit to count up
to 20 units of special study programs towards the 70 units
required for the degree. These highly innovative and
flexible programs are unique in university science degrees,
and are specially designed to train the top scientists and
technologists needed as the country enters the 21st
century. In 1992 a pilot program in physics is being
trialed, and extensive consultations with talented students
have been conducted on possible program options. This
project is to develop special study programs at Sydney and
to report on possibilities for national implementation.
Host institution: University of Sydney
Leader: Assoc. Prof Damon Donald Ridley
Partners:T W Hambley, D H Napper, R A Russell
Contact address: Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, SYDNEY NSW 2006
TEL: (02) 692 2180
FAX: (02) 692 3329
E-Mail: RIDLEY_D@summer.chem.su.oz.au
The aim of the project is to develop a series of video
clips to introduce the experiments in foundational physics
laboratories. Enhancement of student centred learning
through an integrated multi-mode presentation is the key
objective. A more appropriate and efficient use of
resources is an expected by-product. The video medium is
proven, widely available and directly adaptable to
sophisticated delivery systems so the video masters will
facilitate future courseware development. The project is
already under way. Videoplayers/monitors are in place.
Four video clips have been made. A student trial and
survey are in progress with encouraging initial results.
The pilot series has demonstrated the feasibility of the
project and allows accurate costing of the project. A
modest amount of funding is therefore sought to bring to
fruition a practical, well defined, and demonstrated
university teaching project.
Host institution: University of Wollongong
Leader: Dr Roger Adrian Lewis
Address: Department of Physics, University of Wollongong, Northfields Avenue,
WOLLONGONG NSW 2522
TEL: (042) 21 3518
FAX: (042) 21 3151
E-Mail r.lewis@uow.edu.au
|
To notify us of any broken links or to suggest a site for inclusion
on this page please send us an email,
noting the url and name of this page in your email.
Return to
home page
|
© 1997 - 2010 UniServe Science
Page Maintained By: PhySciCH@mail.usyd.edu.au
Last Update: Thursday, 07-Feb-2002 16:10:53 EST
URL: http://science.uniserve.edu.au/caut/phys/1994.html