This is the class blog for the 2007-2008 Mendon High School Regents Physics Class, Period 5.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Labs
I think that labs should not have to be done on the computer. It is much easier and more efficient to complete the labs on paper. I dont see the need to have to do them on the computer
7 comments:
Anonymous
said...
I agree with that with the whole graphing part of the labs.
I can see where you want us to type that labs, but when it comes to the Regents, we're just given the paper, pencil, and ruler and are expected to graph things by hand. I think it would be better for the graphs to be done by hand at least or when it comes in June, we're not going to have any practice.
I'm with you on hand practice as a way to prepare for the final, so I'll be sure to incorporate opportunities for that. However, in addition to preparing for the final, we also have a responsibility to prepare you for advanced studies, including more sophisticated data analysis skills.
I've gotten a lot of feedback that many students are not familiar with spreadsheet and graphing tools, the use of which is a basic skill that you will need in college. Perhaps a modification to the lab guidelines is in order, with a bonus option for both hand drawn and computer generated graphs.
Remember - the graph is not only a way to communicate your final data. It's also a data analysis tool, and with Excel, you can quickly re-draw your graphs in different ways to assist you in interpreting your information.
I agree with everyone, it is much more convienent to graph them by hand as well as hand writing the report. If the excel skills are so essential but so many students are not familiar with the program, maybe we should have a lab or class period in the computer lab learning the application?
7 comments:
I agree with that with the whole graphing part of the labs.
I can see where you want us to type that labs, but when it comes to the Regents, we're just given the paper, pencil, and ruler and are expected to graph things by hand. I think it would be better for the graphs to be done by hand at least or when it comes in June, we're not going to have any practice.
I'm with you on hand practice as a way to prepare for the final, so I'll be sure to incorporate opportunities for that. However, in addition to preparing for the final, we also have a responsibility to prepare you for advanced studies, including more sophisticated data analysis skills.
I've gotten a lot of feedback that many students are not familiar with spreadsheet and graphing tools, the use of which is a basic skill that you will need in college. Perhaps a modification to the lab guidelines is in order, with a bonus option for both hand drawn and computer generated graphs.
Remember - the graph is not only a way to communicate your final data. It's also a data analysis tool, and with Excel, you can quickly re-draw your graphs in different ways to assist you in interpreting your information.
I agree with everyone, it is much more convienent to graph them by hand as well as hand writing the report. If the excel skills are so essential but so many students are not familiar with the program, maybe we should have a lab or class period in the computer lab learning the application?
Brad - I agree. I'll plan on putting together an Excel workshop so everyone will be up to speed on these valuable tools.
I disagree I like that it makes the labs look more neat and were given more than enough time to complete the labs so I dont see how its a problem
I would like to do the graphs by hand as well - I have bad luck with Excel. But I do like typing the report, it makes it look official.
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