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Teaching Techniques Used in the TAMU APPEAL Courses

Wind Sprint Problem Solving
Motivation:
  • Strategic Wind Sprints in the PHYS 302 Course were developed as an alternative to Small Whiteboard Prompts, in order to take a more in depth look into the process of solving physics problems.
  • As an evolution of Small Whiteboard Prompts, Strategic Wind Sprints share many of the same motivations, including student involvement and peer assessment.
  • Many students are adept at mathematics, but have difficulties setting up problems from a physical standpoint.
  • Of the multiple paths to solving problems, many students have difficulties choosing the most appropriate or expedient approach.
  • Establish appropriate strategic approaches to solving problems.  Students are encouraged to complete each exercise on their own time. 
Methodology:
  • The instructor begins by giving students a physics problem to address, either from a text, homework or a physical system brought to class.
  • Students are given a few minutes (2-5) to set up their approach.  This involves drawing an appropriate diagram of the problem, establishing appropriate coordinates, reference frames, variables, and proposing a method of approaching the problem.  Students are discouraged from writing specific equations at this point, but instead to explain their proposed approach in brief, concise terms, (e.g. “Determine the moment of inertia and apply conservation of angular momentum.”).
  • The goal of the exercise is stated explicitly to give direction, but will not necessarily be completed.
  • The instructor pulls the class together and selects a few student whiteboards as examples to discuss.  The class discusses the different approaches and the instructor explains which is best to use and why.
  • The class gets a few more minutes (3-5) to set up the specifics of that approach.  At this stage, it is generally appropriate for students to begin writing fundamental equations for the approach or pointing out symmetries and idealizations that will be used to simplify the problem.
  • The instructor again selects a few whiteboards from the class to critique. If there are additional steps in setting up the problem beyond this point, or if the instructor chooses to have students complete the problem, they are given a few more minutes to work with a neighbor to finish the problem
Effective Use:
  • Strategic Wind Sprints are designed to give students exposure to solving multiple, quick problems.  This technique may be more suited towards a recitation setting, however it can also be a useful way to begin a lecture by reviewing a particular problem or approach covered previously.
  • Without proper time and class management, these Wind Sprints may become “long winded”.
  • Going into too much detail will eat into the time available to set up additional problems.
  • Similar to setting a context with the Small Whiteboard Prompts, it can be beneficial to play “Whiteboard Wheel of Fortune” with responses from Strategic Wind Sprints.

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