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Ian Cooper email: matlabvisulaphysics@gmail.com
In writing an answer to a question it is often necessary to
consider many things simultaneously - it is not possible to write out the
answer like you would in copying a passage of text from a book. A HOW-TO-APPROACH can help you
improve your skills in answering questions for examinations, assignments,
tutorials, laboratory, etc. It is better to think "on paper" than in "your
head". It is most important that you put information on paper - this
makes it possible to access information more easily than organising ideas in
your "minds eye". In hitting a golf ball well, you would have noticed that golfers
spend a lot a time setting themselves up. You need to set yourself up before
you attempt your answer. You must visualise what the problem is about;
determine the problem type (category); know what information is given and
think about what you know. After this setup then you can go into action to
execute your answer and evaluate it. To be good at golf requires lots of "quality"
practice. The same is for you, to become good at physics requires practice,
but remember it is only
good practice that makes perfect and not the time spent There basically four interconnected phases in this HOW-TO APPROACH. Identify Û Setup Û Execute Û Evaluate IDENTIFY ·
Identify
what the question asking ·
Identify
the known and unknown physical quantities (units) ·
Identify
the type of problem (category) SETUP need a good memory
base and understanding ·
Visualise
the physical situation ·
Diagrams - reference frames / coordination system /
Origin / directions ·
Write
down key concepts, principles, equations, assumptions that may be needed to
answer the question EXECUTE ·
Answer
to the question from what you know. ·
Numerical
questions - solve before calculations - manipulate equations then substitute
numbers add comments. EVALUATE ·
CHECK
- answer reasonable, assumptions, units, signs, significant figures, look at
limiting cases In doing all questions it is good
idea to implement the HOW-TO-
APPROACH problem solving technique. In examinations, using the
technique will help you maximize your marks. Being good at problem solving is
essential in physics and you will improve your conceptual understanding and
problem solving skills by using this the HOW-TO-APPRAOCH problem solving strategy. To improve your skills at answering
examination questions you need to strive to achieve technical excellence. When working
through the problems suggested in this course, you should implement the HOW-TO-APPRAOCH with the aims of improving your
physics knowledge and your technical skill at setting out the solutions to
the problems. After completing the questions and
reviewing the solutions reflect upon what you have done, compare your written
answer with the answers provided and think about how you can improve your
technique to achieve excellence.
It
is a good idea to limit a study session to no more than 60 minutes, about 45 minutes is an ideal amount of time.
Studying your Physics is not like reading a novel. You need to make it an
active process and not one in which you only read or make linear summaries
that paraphrase the text. Always have a pen and plenty of paper when studying
physics. To
gain the maximum benefit from studying a topic, you should consider doing the
following: 1
Review and Speed Read each Module. 2
Read each Module and your reference text
carefully: identify the terminology and concepts that have to be memorised
and try to gain an understanding of the content by using different types of
summaries. 3
Use a physical quantities template –
summary of symbols, meaning of symbols, units. 4
Use equation templates. 5
Construct mindmaps or a summary for
each topic you are going to study. 6
Work through sample problems, problems and
questions. 7
Keep a study
diary: each week review how many minutes you spend on various activities. Memorising
and improving your understanding is best done by spending short periods of
time reviewing your summaries THINK ON PAPER WITH A PEN IN HAND AND DO NOT THINK TOO
MUCH IN YOUR HEAD
· Don’t just read – use
pen and paper to process information · Summarize what you read and study à MINDMAPS
(concepts maps) · THINK, VISUALIZE and PROCESS while
you are studying · Memorize your summaries: short term
and long term memories are different. Memory is the most important process in learning. · Strive for understanding – it
only comes slowly after lots of “memory work” and exposure. Often
comes in a “flash”. · Doing questions that have answers:
Read question / process it / think about what it asking / think about what
you know / consult your summaries or textbook / review and process the given
answer / after a short time interval do the question like in an exam, then
check (mark) your answer against the published answer. · Study sessions 40 to 60 min on
physics e.g. doing problems, creating mindmaps · Review sessions only about 10
minutes. These are short reflection sessions: short term memory à long term memory. · Reflection: review / reflect upon a study
period a short time after the end of that study period – very
beneficial in transferring knowledge to long term memory MINDMAPS Mindmaps are a very
useful tool that can help you gain a better understanding and help you
remember large amounts of content.
Sample mindmaps will be given throughout the
web notes, but the best ones are those that you create. · Summaries with minimum padding words · Key words · Symbols / equation / units · Colour · Graphs · Images – annotated diagrams
(difficult to remember words, easy to remember “dramatic images” · Make mindmaps
for each equation – summary of what the equation is telling you PREDICT OBSERVE
EXPLAIN POE The POE strategy was developed by
White and Gunstone to uncover individual
students’ predictions, and their reasons for making these, about a
specific event. Reference: White, R. T., & Gunstone,
R. F. (1992). Probing Understanding. Great Britain: Falmer
Press. Assume that you are going to view a
demonstration, animation, movie etc on some
physical behaviour and that you want maximise your understanding of the
physics from the event. PREDICT · Carefully think about the physical situation associated with the
event. · Write your predictions on what may happen in the event. · Write a justification for your predictions. OBSERVE · Carefully observe the event and compare what you see with your
predictions. · Write down your observations. EXPLAIN · Write an explanation of the event and compare your predictions
with the observations. Try to
resolve any conflicts you had between your observations ad predictions. You can search the WEB for more
information on PREDICT OBSERVE EXPLAIN. You can try the link [cited: June
2012] http://www.learningdesigns.uow.edu.au/tools/info/T3/index.html COMMENTS FROM EXAMINATION
MARKERS Examiners may write questions that
address the syllabus outcomes in a manner that requires candidates to respond
by integrating their knowledge, understanding and skills developed through
studying the course, including the prescribed focus areas. This reflects the fact
that the knowledge, understanding and skills developed through the study of
discrete sections should accumulate to a more comprehensive understanding
than may be described in each section separately. ·
The
answer spaces provided are guide to the maximum length of response required.
Should use examination time to analyse the question and plan responses
carefully, working within that framework to produce clear and concise
responses. ·
Responses
may include the use of dot points, diagrams and/or tables, and should avoid
internal contradictions. This is particularly so in holistic questions which
need to be logical and well structured. ·
Should
show evidence of a good knowledge of basic definitions. ·
Follow
the instructions provided on the examination paper. ·
Set
out all working for numerical questions. ·
Answers
should include correct units and correct number of significant figures. ·
Do
not repeat the question as part of the response. ·
Look
at the structure of the whole question. ·
Use
pencils and a ruler to draw diagrams and graphs and other appropriate
equipment. A clear plastic ruler helps in plotting points and drawing the
line of best fit. |
