Developing and Learning from Tutorials in Introductory Physics

Abstract

In 1990, members of the Physics Education Group (PEG) at the University of Washington began to develop inquiry-oriented instructional materials for introductory calculus-based physics courses. Tutorials in Introductory Physics was the result. A supplementary curriculum, the Tutorials feature small, graduate teaching-assistant-led sections centered on a series of exercises for students to tackle collaboratively that target critical weaknesses in concept development and reasoning on key topics. This chapter goes into depth on the development, implementation, and learning from the tutorials on several of these topics: ray optics, work–energy, kinematics, wave optics, and atomic emission spectra. The chapter closes with a report on the demonstrated effectiveness of the use of the Tutorials in a variety of formats. The use of adequately prepared tutorial leaders has been found to be critical for effective implementation in any format.