written by
Ronald K. Thornton
A promising new development in science education is the use of microcomputer-based laboratory tools that allow for student-directed data acquisition, display, and analysis. Microcomputer-based laboratories (MBL) make use of inexpensive microcomputer-connected probes to measure such physical quantities as temperature, position, and various physiological indicators. This paper discusses the use of a MBL motion probe in a sixth-grade classroom and in two college physics courses at Tufts Univerity which are primarily designed for humanists. The probe (developed from a sonic transducer used in Polaroid cameras) was used in both settings to teach relationships among position, velocity, and acceleration of objects as a function of time by use of immediate (real-time) graphical representations shown on a computer screen. In both cases the motion of the students' own bodies was initially used to teach the concepts involved. Results of observations, written work, and examinations show substantial student understanding of motion and graphing. Preliminary observations indicate that the linking of concrete measurement of an actual physical system with the simultaneous production of the symbolic representation may be an effective way for students to learn to correctly interpret and produce graphs.
Series Name: ERIC
Issue ED264130
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!
![]() <a href="https://www.compadre.org/portal/items/detail.cfm?ID=15034">Thornton, Ronald. "Tools for Scientific Thinking: Microcomputer-Based Laboratories for the Naive Science Learner." In ERIC, 12. 1985.</a>
![]() R. Thornton, , ERIC, Report No. ED264130, 1985, WWW Document, (https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED264130).
![]() R. Thornton, Tools for Scientific Thinking: Microcomputer-Based Laboratories for the Naive Science Learner, ERIC, Report No. ED264130, 1985, <https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED264130>.
![]() Thornton, R. (1985). Tools for Scientific Thinking: Microcomputer-Based Laboratories for the Naive Science Learner (Report No. ED264130). Retrieved February 8, 2025, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED264130
![]() Thornton, Ronald. "Tools for Scientific Thinking: Microcomputer-Based Laboratories for the Naive Science Learner." In ERIC, 12. 1985. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED264130 (accessed 8 February 2025).
![]() Thornton, Ronald. Tools for Scientific Thinking: Microcomputer-Based Laboratories for the Naive Science Learner. 1985. 8 Feb. 2025 <https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED264130>.
![]() @techreport{
Author = "Ronald Thornton",
Title = {Tools for Scientific Thinking: Microcomputer-Based Laboratories for the Naive Science Learner},
Number = {ED264130},
Month = {November},
Year = {1985}
}
![]() %A Ronald Thornton %T Tools for Scientific Thinking: Microcomputer-Based Laboratories for the Naive Science Learner %R ED264130 %S ERIC %D November 1, 1985 %P 12 %U https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED264130 %O application/pdf ![]() %0 Report %A Thornton, Ronald %D November 1, 1985 %T Tools for Scientific Thinking: Microcomputer-Based Laboratories for the Naive Science Learner %N ED264130 %P 12 %8 November 1, 1985 %@ ED264130 %U https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED264130 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. |
ContributeSimilar Materials |