Download the book

The Open Agenda: Ideas a beginning physics teacher should not take for granted

is a short ebook (pdf) outlining the many habits and nuances a beginning physics teacher needs to illustrate and emphasize on a daily basis in order the then teach the physics content. It’s based on the ideas I focussed upon when mentoring new physics teachers.

The book includes section covering the teaching of:

Chapter 1: Units

Their value, use and misuse in teaching.

Chapter 2: Numbers

Some of the pitfalls students and teachers need to watch for with the use of numbers, I know that sounds strange.

Chapter 3: The math they need

It’s time to be honest with what is necessary to be successful in physics.

Chapter 4: The Equation Inventory Map

Part one of a method of problem solving I teach.

Chapter 5: GRASP

The main problem solving method I emphasize to my students.

Chapter 6: Pardon?

Details on just a few of the mistakes students make when solving problems.

Chapter 7: Baking a cake

Some suggestions for student engagement in labs.

Chapter 8: Staking your claim

How to write up proper lab reports using an investigative lab format.

Chapter 9: Expert testimony

A sample study technique.

Chapter 10: It’s not gravity damn it!

A playful chapter on that all important term - the acceleration due to gravity.

Chapter 11: Better than Galileo

An indulgence on the way the kinematics equations should be taught.

Chapter 12: The Open Agenda

A short essay on curriculum design.

This current version is already typeset in a two-page per sheet format, hence the _book at the end of the file name. I did this to help conserve paper when printed. If necessary a full page version may come out in the distant future, most likely after a second edition.

I’ve spent a good deal of time considering my options while searching for an Agent and Publisher, and in that time I became convinced that since my goal has always been to affect the way physics was taught, and subsequently to market and network myself within that community of my colleagues, that it was best to release the book at no charge.

Money is not my concern, but it may be for beginning teachers so burdening them with another cost early on in their careers seemed unwarranted. There is so much material available over the internet in the form of media files, animations, blogs, Lecture notes, Lab guides, Questions and Answers etc... I’d like to do my part by adding to that free flow of information.

The Open Agenda: Ideas a beginning physics teacher should not take for granted

(a 1.3 Mb file) is available by clicking here: TheOpenAgenda_book.pdf

Please share and distribute the book accordingly.

Sincerely,

John Daicopoulos

jdaicopoulos -at- yahoo -dot- ca