developed by: Eugenia Etkina, Alan Van Heuvelen
middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
calc based
alg based
conceptual
Overview
What? Comprehensive learning system for introductory physics that engages students in experiences that mirror experiences of practicing scientists. Builds on students' correct intuitions rather than eliciting and confronting their misconceptions.
Example materials
Student skills developed
- Conceptual understanding
- Problem-solving skills
- Lab skills
- Using multiple representations
- Designing experiments
- Metacognition
- Making real-world connections
Instructor effort required
- Medium
Resources required
- Projector
- Advanced lab equipment
- Cost for students
Resources
Teaching Materials
You can download many materials for teaching ISLE, including a complete ISLE Laboratory Program (for algebra- and calculus-based physics), a set of ISLE Video Experiments, and a set of Higher-Level Thinking Formative Assessment activities and rubrics from the ISLE website.
You can also purchase the Active Learning Guide for College Physics, which contains activities and problems that can be used in lectures, recitations, labs, and homework for concept construction, testing and applications, or College Physics, a textbook based on ISLE.
Research
Gold Star ValidationThis is the highest level of research validation, corresponding to:
- both of the "based on" categories
- at least 4 of the "demonstrated to improve" categories
- at least 5 of the "studied using" categories
Research Validation Summary
Based on Research Into:
- theories of how students learn
- student ideas about specific topics
Demonstrated to Improve:
- conceptual understanding
- problem-solving skills
- lab skills
- beliefs and attitudes
- attendance
- retention of students
- success of underrepresented groups
- performance in subsequent classes
Studied using:
- cycle of research and redevelopment
- student interviews
- classroom observations
- analysis of written work
- research at multiple institutions
- research by multiple groups
- peer-reviewed publication
References
- M. Cancula, G. Planinšic, and E. Etkina, Analyzing patterns in experts' approaches to solving experimental problems, Am. J. Phys. 83 (4), 366 (2015).
- D. Demaree and Y. Lin, Assessing ISLE Labs as an Enhancement to Traditional Large-Lecture Courses at the Ohio State University, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2005, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2005.
- E. Etkina and A. Van Heuvelen, Investigative Science Learning Environment - A Science Process Approach to Learning Physics, in Research-Based Reform of University Physics (2007), Vol. 1.
- E. Etkina and A. Van Heuvelen, Investigative Science Learning Environment: Using the processes of science and cognitive strategies to learn physics, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2001, Rochester, New York, 2001.
- E. Etkina, Millikan award lecture: Students of physics—Listeners, observers, or collaborative participants in physics scientific practices?, Am. J. Phys. 83 (8), 669 (2015).
- E. Etkina, A. Van Heuvelen, A. Karelina, M. Ruibal-Villasenor, and D. Rosengrant, Spending Time on Design: Does It Hurt Physics Learning?, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2007, Greensboro, NC, 2007.
- E. Etkina, S. Murthy, and X. Zou, Using introductory labs to engage students in experimental design, Am. J. Phys. 74 (11), 979 (2006).
- X. Zou, How students justify their knowledge in the Investigative Science Learning Environment, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2003, Madison, WI, 2003.
