[Edu-sig] Teaching programming to physics students - reprise

[Peter Bowyer]

Hi,

For all of you who were interested, I've put the final version of my 
Masters' project report online at 
http://peter.mapledesign.co.uk/writings/physics/teaching-introductory-programming-to-physics-undergraduates.pdf. 


The project has proved successful, as the school of Physics at the 
University of Southampton made the decision to use Python for all 
undergraduate physics courses using programming in the 2006/07 
academic year (introductory programming course, equipment control in 
laboratories, and computational physics course).  As yet it remains 
to be seen whether the approach used to teach programming will 
change, or just the language used.

I will be returning on a voluntary basis in October to assist in the 
teaching laboratories and monitor the impact changing to Python has 
had on the understanding of the students.  Any suggestions as to how 
to measure their understanding would be gratefully received, as the 
questionnaire I used last time didn't get very good responses!

I'd like to thank this group for your input last year, and 
particularly to Bruce Sherin and Hans Fangohr for their extended 
emails over the year.

Peter.

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Maple Design - quality web design and programming
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