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written by Paul D'Alessandris
Spiral Physics is a research based introductory physics curriculum developed at Monroe Community College. There are several important features of this curriculum. It  integrates text and workbook activities in a modular fashion, and arranges topics so that students receive repeated exposure to concepts with increased complexity. It makes use of alternative problem types, including goal-less problem statements, ranking tasks, and critical analysis tasks. It restricts the equation set available for student use and is designed to facilitate active learning. Spiral Physics is available for both the algebra-based and calculus-based introductory courses. Assessment of Spiral Physics via the FCI, MBT, and MPEX compare favorably with the best results reported in the literature.
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Practices
- Active Learning
= Modeling
= Problem Solving
General Physics
- Curriculum
- Physics Education Research
- Lower Undergraduate
- High School
- Instructional Material
= Course
= Curriculum
= Textbook
Appropriate Courses Categories Ratings
- Conceptual Physics
- Algebra-based Physics
- AP Physics
- Lesson Plan
- Activity
- Laboratory
- Assessment
- New teachers
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Additional Information
This resource was featured by the Physics Source collection from November 12, 2008 until December 13, 2013. View the feature here!


Intended Users:
Educator
Learner
Format:
application/pdf
Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 1994 Paul D'Alessandris
Keywords:
Spiral Physics, active learning, introductory physics, ranking tasks, tipers
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created August 6, 2007 by Paul DAlessandris
Record Updated:
August 22, 2016 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
June 15, 2007
Other Collections:

This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.


Topic: Best Practices and Standard Assessments
Unit Title: Collections and Resources for Teachers

Spiral Physics is a research based introductory physics curriculum.  It  integrates text and workbook activities in a modular fashion, and arranges topics so that students receive repeated exposure to concepts with increased complexity. It makes use of alternative problem types, including goal-less problem statements, ranking tasks, and critical analysis.  This resource includes a full curriculum for algebra-based and calculus-based introductory physics, as well as a course curriculum for Electricity and Magnetism.

Link to Unit:
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Record Link
AIP Format
P. D'Alessandris, (1994), WWW Document, (https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oulpsaytsjxvhzh/AADt7uvQWqNgOXOz5B-YrQXba?dl=0).
AJP/PRST-PER
P. D'Alessandris, Spiral Physics Downloads (1994), <https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oulpsaytsjxvhzh/AADt7uvQWqNgOXOz5B-YrQXba?dl=0>.
APA Format
D'Alessandris, P. (2007, June 15). Spiral Physics Downloads. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oulpsaytsjxvhzh/AADt7uvQWqNgOXOz5B-YrQXba?dl=0
Chicago Format
D'Alessandris, Paul. Spiral Physics Downloads. June 15, 2007. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oulpsaytsjxvhzh/AADt7uvQWqNgOXOz5B-YrQXba?dl=0 (accessed 22 March 2025).
MLA Format
D'Alessandris, Paul. Spiral Physics Downloads. 1994. 15 June 2007. 22 Mar. 2025 <https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oulpsaytsjxvhzh/AADt7uvQWqNgOXOz5B-YrQXba?dl=0>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Paul D'Alessandris", Title = {Spiral Physics Downloads}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {22 March 2025}, Month = {June 15, 2007}, Year = {1994} }
Refer Export Format

%A Paul D'Alessandris %T Spiral Physics Downloads %D June 15, 2007 %U https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oulpsaytsjxvhzh/AADt7uvQWqNgOXOz5B-YrQXba?dl=0 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A D'Alessandris, Paul %D June 15, 2007 %T Spiral Physics Downloads %V 2025 %N 22 March 2025 %8 June 15, 2007 %9 application/pdf %U https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oulpsaytsjxvhzh/AADt7uvQWqNgOXOz5B-YrQXba?dl=0


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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

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