The following former Physics by Inquiry (106, 107, or 108) students have given me permission to copy from their comments to me.

Ashley Ford:

When this class first started I did not care for the teaching styles being used. This was because I was not used to them and never have been taught in this manner before. This week you spent a lot of time with my group and I had an “epiphany.” This was the time when I realized why you teach the way you do and actually really like the methods being used. You never gave an answer to me and actually made me figure out the answer on my own and although it took awhile, it felt really good to know that I actually figured something out in which at first I had know idea what I was supposed to do. Although I do not get straight A’s in physics, I have never leaned as much in any class as I have learned in this one. I have come to really appreciate this class and the teaching methods being used. I would not change anything about this class.

My opinion of this course has changed drastically from the first week. The first week of class I was so nervous about this class and didn’t know what to expect and didn’t know how to react to the teaching method that I was about to be introduced to. I thought for sure I was going to really dislike this class because it was so unlike any course that I have ever taken before. Now, my opinion has totally reversed itself. I love this class and especially like the teaching style that is used in physics 10x. It really helps students think on their own and realize their own potential. With this being said I would definitely recommend it to others. I have never leaned so much in a class before and I think it would be in other student’s best interest to take this course and gain what I have gained through it. I definitely would have taken this class if I knew it was going to be like this!

Before taking this class I had a very negative view towards physics. I thought that it was going to be very boring and very, very difficult. But, now that I have taken this class I love physics! To me it is very interesting and has taught me so much about the way the world works.

When the instructor is with my group the three of us get him/her all to ourselves they make us understand why we are saying what we are saying. They never leave before they are one hundred percent sure that we know everything and will sit with us as long as we need them too. In other class, I am shy, so I never speak up in class or answer questions. But in this class I can ask any question I want and I do not feel stupid. The instructor’s relationship with the students in this class is very different from other classes. They have gotten to know each one of us and in other classes teachers don’t seem to really care. I like the interaction that my group and I get with each one of the instructors and the only change that I would make is to have a few more instructors so that groups did not have to wait for a long time to get check pointed.

The thing I like most about physics 10x is the way that the students are forced to think on their own. The instructors lead you in the right direction by asking you question after question until you reach the correct answer. They never make you feel dumb and when you come to the conclusion by yourself it make you feel so much better about yourself than if you were just given the answer.

Joanna Miller

Physics 10x won’t be like the other classes you take here at OSU. You aren’t expected to memorize anything (or should I say memorizing won’t help you for the tests!)! Also, be expected to gain an understanding of electrical circuits by doing experiments rather than reading about them. You will work with a group of 3 other individuals and complete experiments such as building circuits and seeing what happens in various situations. You will be expected to explain, in your own words, what you understand is happening in each experiment. Thus, it is highly recommended that you attend every class session and actively participate in all the experiments! Also, there are checkpoints throughout the experiments when a TA or professor comes to your group to ask questions and make sure your building on your knowledge of physics. During this time, pay attention to the questions that he asks your group members . . . don’t zone out. Since the quizzes and tests ask you to explain your reasoning, you cannot rely on memorization . . . you have to know your stuff! Thus, hearing the responses of your group members can help you figure out other ways people might be thinking about the same topic, which may help you see your reasoning better, or discover your original thoughts contained a misconception. You cannot study for this class in the typical manner that you study for other exams. Rather, going to class and seeing the experiments first hand, as well as completing homework assignments that ask you to reason what will happen in various situations regarding circuits are your best study tools. Finally, don’t hesitate to ask questions to your group members or the TAs and professors. Although they won’t flat out tell you an answer, they help guide you to creating your own reason, and since it’s your own idea, you’ll remember it!

Lindsay Snyder:

Physics 10x is unlike any other class you have taken at Ohio State and more than likely anywhere else. 10x is structured in groups of four; you work with this group the entire so I think that it is important to get to know these people and to have fun with them because it will make the class time much more enjoyable. You also struggle at times to keep your group on task and it is hard when one person holds the group back because they don’t understand things, but you actually learn through explaining through other people. You and your group will work through sections and during the sections you will have checkpoints in which you have an instructor come over to your table and check your understanding of the material. The sections include experiments and many questions that you should answer. The book is set up to lead you through experiments where you will learn on your own and the experiments will lead you to make your own conclusions about the information. The instructors will only ask you questions when they come to your group, and they also won’t answer questions. But the instructors will challenge your knowledge and the conclusions that you made so be ready to prove yourself and what you think. I would also make sure to take as many notes as possible and to write your thoughts out clearly. It is very important that you understand the topics and you do not just try to get through checkpoints. Detailed notes and homework also come in handy later in the course as you can use them on quizzes and tests. I would also make sure to do all of the papers that are given out in class or you will lose points. There is a lot of paperwork but it is given to check your understanding and to keep enforcing what you have learned. All of the papers include: question of the day, diagnostics, post-evaluations, homework, journal, and essays, and while it may seem like a lot it will affect your grade if you don’t do them or you just rush through them. This course takes up a lot of time but it also ensures a thorough understanding of physics concepts.

Ellie Nixt:

I would give these pointers:

Don’t rush . . . pause and think.
Observe before you think.
Keep a running dialogue in your own mind and ask yourself internal questions.
Don’t be afraid to question what you have observed to the professor or course aides.
Don’t be afraid to question what you have observed to your lab partners.
Give everyone in your group time and opportunity to understand.
Don’t think it will all happen in classtime.
Don’t take questions personally. Lighten up and laugh at yourself (now that I have said it I will be tested, I’m sure)
Don’t rely that your prior knowledge is correct.
Don’t be surprised if you wake up thinking about physics in the night.
Inquiry is process more than content . . . but content does come after process.
Stay flexible . . . those working with you really want you to succeed.
If you don’t take the journal lightly, you’ll get some excellent feedback.
You’ll be amazed at what you will learn in such a short time.

Ryan Buechner:

I feel that the midterms and quizzes are certainly different in this class for several reasons. First off we are allowed to use our notes on all of the exams, and draw from other experiences in order to figure out the problems. Also the tests are all experimental exercises that can be set up and checked if we had the ability to do so. Another part that makes these midterms unique is the fact that a portion of it is done in the group setting. Since we work almost entirely in groups it only seems natural to take a portion of the test as a team. Lastly the tests are vastly different because the real part that is wanted in solving the problem is the thought process in getting the solution and the reasoning for the steps that were taken. In most other midterms the solution is the primary goal and the explanation really will not give you much benefit as far as your grade.

and . . .
a selection of short anonymous comments--

“I can't think of a better way to teach science in general. Hands on experience is something I think would promote student interest as well as learning.”

“It gets REALLY frustrating at times ... BUT I'm learning a lot because of the way that the class is set up.”

“I feel inquiry based instruction is very open. We learn everything by doing it ourselves, and if there is something we have a question on, it is usually figured out by thinking up an experiment to try it out. There are no study and answer kind of sheets, or tell all formulas.”

and

“I realize now why it is so important to communicate in a simple, clear, and precise manner ...”.