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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 675
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 675 |
I had to bump this marvellous older thread I just came across. There's been a couple recent discussions about physics books, so I am guessing I'm not the only one who will enjoy spending a few days pouring through this bonanza of resources. In fact, on-line materials are appearing at such a rate that the real challenge is figuring where to spend your time - and possibly your money. I'm drowning in choice! With the benefit of almost three more years since this thread was created, I'd love to hear recent experience to help triage.
On our end, our particular interests include engaging physics materials in any format (info, courses, games, whatever) for DS11, who smuggles Neil de Grasse Tyson under the covers, but has no exposure yet to any systematic physics concepts. The more visual the better (visual as in he loves geometry but not algebra - as opposed to we want graphic design run amuk!). Anything to do with gravity, particle, quantum and cosmology especially welcome.
I've recently been pouring through "The Great Courses" listings, including two courses strongly recommended a couple of years ago by ColinsMum (The Joy of Math and Particle Physics for Non-Physicists). I'm teetering on the edge of ordering, but wondering if that's just crazy in this new era of free Coursera et al? Same question for an EPGY physics course (which will never be recognized by our schools). Somehow the simplicity and linear coherency of something like The Great Courses - with physical DVDs in hand - appeals (but perhaps that's just my age showing?) And to be perfectly honest, regardless of what appeals to me, DS is rather resistant to after-schooling, and probably would enjoy a random selection of youtube videos and websites more than something that smacks of systematic instruction (and he's the antithesis of linear). Though I presume The Great Courses are more of a "watch for entertainment" as compared to EPGY which requires a lot of "do as homework"...?
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,181
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,181 |
Michelle, I would probably stick with the Neil dGT videos and Coursera topics rather than invest in TGC materials-- DD was rather underwhelmed with them at that age. They were much more dry than she cared for.
We have a small handful of them, but they barely got used. It probably depends upon the kid-- but your description sounds a lot like my DD at 10-11yo. If it felt too "schooly" then she wasn't having it.
We didn't ever try The Joy of Mathematics, though-- and what we did have success with (a couple of art history ones, and a world religions thing) we borrowed from our local library.
Bostonian's list from the previous page is still amazing as a collection of resources. DD tried most of them, and she really enjoyed exploring most of it.
We gladly endorse the Hewitt text-- it won't be enough for kids past middle school (at least not by itself), but it's a very solid introduction to classical mechanics.
Last edited by HowlerKarma; 03/31/15 06:49 PM.
Schrödinger's cat walks into a bar. And doesn't.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,641 Likes: 3
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,641 Likes: 3 |
The Einstein Revolution MOOC, currently in session, is not a straight physics course but looks interesting. About this Course
Albert Einstein has become the icon of modern science. Following his scientific, cultural, philosophical, and political trajectory, this course aims to track the changing role of physics in the 20th and 21st centuries. Addresses Einstein's engagement with relativity, quantum mechanics, Nazism, nuclear weapons, philosophy, the arts, and technology, and raises basic questions about what it means to understand physics in its broader history.
Participants in the course will follow seventeen lessons, each of which will present a mix of science (no prerequisites!) and the broader, relevant cultural surround. Some weeks will examine the physics concepts, while others will see excerpts of films or discuss modernist poetry that took off from relativity. Or we might be looking at the philosophical roots and philosophical consequences of Einstein’s works. At other times we will be fully engaged with historical and political questions: the building, dropping, and proliferation of nuclear weapons, for example.
Typically, in a lesson (about an hour of streamed material), there will be opportunities for individual mini-essay writing, some multiple choice questions to bolster your understanding of the science, and a group activity which might one week be a debate and another a collective commentary on elements of an artwork from 1920s Weimar Germany. HarvardX pursues the science of learning. By registering as an online learner in an HX course, you will also participate in research about learning.
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