Why have students work in groups?
The simplest answer is that a well functioning group is the most efficient way to solve any problem. However, in this class we have more definite educational reasons. Students working in groups must discuss what their thoughts are — they get practice in “talking physics.” This discussion tends to bring their physics preconceptions (alternative conceptions) to the surface so they can deal with them. It is a clich that the “best way to learn is to teach” but it is true. Working in the same groups in both laboratory and discussion section allows students to become more familiar with each other so that they feel comfortable enough to discuss their physics difficulties. Having the same groups and instructor for both the laboratory and discussion section also explicitly connects the lab to the rest of the course. In addition, students working in groups make teaching more manageable for the instructor. Instead of trying to serve 18 individual students, you interact with 5 or 6 groups, so you
