Student Learning Objective (SLO)

High-Risk Issue (Why is it difficult for the students?)

Enhanced Academic Support (activity or way that the SLO is presented?)  Be specific

Evaluation (How will you measure?)  Be Specific

Apply the equations of kinematics for objects moving with constant acceleration in one and two dimensions.

Items: 6, 7

Use vectors in solving physics problems

Often students have either never seen vectors before in their mathematics courses or have forgotten what they learned about vectors.  Students need to become competent using this new mathematical topic.

In-class drill in fundamental vector math and concepts.  (Daily problem or question at beginning of class, for example.)

Items: 1, 2, 7, 8

Compare item result of unit exams, pretest/post test result compared with baseline.

Apply Newton’s laws of motion to one- and two-dimensional linear dynamics problems

Students have difficulty drawing a complete, correct free-body diagram.

In-class drill in recognizing correct free-body diagram for a given situation.  (Show slides of correct/incorrect diagrams, for example.)

Items: 8

Compare item result of unit exams, pretest/post test result compared with baseline.

Utilize the definition of work, the work-energy theorem and the principle of conservation of energy in solving physics problems

Item 9

Apply the principles of conservation of linear momentum

Item 4

Apply the equations of rotational kinematics for objects rotating with constant angular acceleration.

Item 10

Apply the equations of rotational dynamics, including the principle of conservation of angular momentum

Problem may stem from not recognizing the similarity with linear dynamics calculations which should be mastered earlier

Add review calculations correlated with linear dynamics calculations

Items: 5, 11

Compare item result of unit exams, pretest/post test result compared with baseline.

Utilize principles such as Newton’s law of universal gravitation, conservation of energy or Kepler’s laws to solve problems in gravitation.

Describe selected properties of oscillations and waves.

Distinguish between the concepts of heat and temperature.  Use the concept of specific heat in solving problems involving calorimetry.

Apply the concept of latent heat to problems involving phase changes.  Describe various properties of ideal gases.

Items: 3, 12

Recognize, explain and apply the laws of thermodynamics.