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R. Llewellyn

Publications and source records attributed to R. Llewellyn.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2007

Cinema, Fermi Problems, & General Education

During the past several years the authors have developed a new approach to the teaching of Physical Science, a general education course typically found in the curricula of nearly every college and university. This approach, called `Physics in Films', uses scenes from popular movies to illustrate physical principles and has excited student interest and improved student performance. The analyses of many of the scenes in `Physics in Films' are a direct application of Fermi calculations -- estimates and approximations designed to make solutions of complex and seemingly intractable problems understandable to the student non-specialist. The intent of this paper is to provide instructors with examples they can use to develop skill in recognizing Fermi problems and making Fermi calculations in their own courses.

physics.ed-ph↗
arXiv2006

Physics in Films: An Assessment

Physics in Films is an alternative version of the physical science course offered to non-science majors at the University of Central Florida. The course uses the popularity of Hollywood films to generate interest in science and to engage students that have traditionally been resistant to taking science courses. Scenes that lead to teachable science moments are identified in films and then used in class to concretize abstract physical concepts. With the wide variety of movies available, different "flavors" of the course, each specializing in a certain genre of film, have been created. This creates an audience of students with a high level of interest in the teaching tool and helps enhance their learning experience. In addition to the films, the course uses electronic student response systems to increase class participation. Although the course was first developed during the academic year 2002-2003, we continue to develop and assess it. After a brief outline of the motivation for the development of the course, we will discuss the different versions of the course and the teaching techniques used, including the use of the student response systems, and present data on the performance of the students in the course. Moreover, we will present feedback on the course acquired from video interviews with participating students.

physics.ed-ph↗
arXiv2003

Physical Science: A revitalization of the traditional course by avatars of Hollywood in the physics classroom

National studies conducted over many years show that, while most Americans are interested in science and support federal funding of scientific research, the scientific literacy of the public is very low. Why this situation exists and who is responsible are not easy questions to answer. This paper describes a project aimed at addressing that problem, at least among college students, by re-designing the general education physical science course, common in most colleges and universities, to teach basic physics principles via the physics found in films, particularly the action films popular among today's students. Results of the first year's trial of the `Physics in Films' approach are more than promising, they may be pointing the way to the solution of the problem.

physics.ed-ph↗