DIAGNOSTIC/REMEDIAL TESTS IN INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS

SOME NOTES FOR THE INSTRUCTOR

These Tests are, in part, directed towards unearthing and attempting to correct some of the many preconceptions/misconceptions which students bring to their initial studies of Physics. As is well known these are based on their everyday experiences and are often quite deeply ingrained and, if not rectified, can retard the student's progress. The last four test are probably more suitable for students starting tertiary physics.

The tests are in both Word (DOC) format (~3.5MB in all) and Acrobat (PDF) format (~2.8MB in all) ready for downloading and subsequent printing (preferably double-sided) and distribution to students. From this point onwards the tests can be self-administered by the students. The tests are “take home” and can be done at the student’s convenience as he or she comes to the appropriate section in class

The students work through the questions on the left hand (even-numbered) pages, keeping the right hand (odd-numbered) pages covered and at various stages check their responses against the answers on the right hand pages which, in addition to giving the correct answer, has a commentary on wrong answers, hopefully initiating remediation of an unearthed misconception. In addition to the “questions and answers” there are a few instructional sidelights and “interludes”.

Alternatively students may choose to download from this Website, in which case they might, in the interests of economy and the forests, choose to print only the even-numbered (question) pages and do their answer checking “on screen”.

Teachers are, of course, able to edit the (word format) tests in any way they think fit excising any material perceived as extraneous or “over-kill”.

Emeritus Professor Bill Rachinger,
School of Physics,
Monash University, P.O.27, Vic 3800 Australia
Bill.Rachinger@sci.monash.edu.au