Learning Environment: Mrs. Rinkenberger's Physics Classroom
The classroom is set up for both lecture and lab components. There are tables instead of desks, a white board and a Promethean board with projector and voting systems. Five tables are used as desks for the students with two students per table. Three tables are set together in lab area for lab work. A cupboard and bookshelf are next to the tables and contain all lab materials. A bathroom is located directly across the hall for access to water for labs that require it. A full computer lab is accessible down the hall but no laptops are available to be brought to the classroom.
Description of Learners
The class contains a total of eight students. There are six boys and two girls. Seven of the students are in upper level mathematics courses and have completed all previous math courses with at least a B. One student has struggled with math and is currently in a lower level math class. Since math ability is tied strongly to physics success, knowing a student’s math level is helpful. Seven of the students are seniors who will graduate in the spring of 2013. One student is a junior. All students have a graphing calculator and two of the seven have tablet technology with them daily (their textbook is digital on their tablets). All of the students are similar in both cultural and socio-economic background. All but one are active in sports or music programs at school. None are receiving any kind of help for special needs/learning disabilities. This class is intended for college bound seniors and juniors with high math ability and desires to learn about the field of physics.