Can Technology Really Improve Teaching Introductory Physics

Joel Shapiro
Rutgers University

     Modern electronic tools have many possible uses in improving
physics instruction. Especially in the large courses at which most
college students are first exposed to physics, interpersonal contact
is rare and traditional lecturing has proven lacking. Computers, the
internet, and wireless communications have all provided opportunities
to find new ways of communicating with students. They provide
improved means of presentation, increased interactivity, and the
prospect of "intelligent" automated tutoring.
     I will just touch on presentation tools and on the use of clickers
to increase student involvement in large lectures, but my chief interest 
is in computer tutoring of student problem solving. I will discuss some of
the grading schemes and homework systems, which are gradually developing
some tutorial capabilities. Then I will give my views on the prospect for 
more serious intelligent tutoring systems (ITS), and what is needed for 
such systems to become effective and practical tools.