Learning physics through understanding: Experiment based learning

We developed a new teaching technique to help our students better understand basic physics concepts. The tool was experimented in introductory level physics classes where majority of the students are engineering majors. The main objective was to expose students into Physics subject matter through hands-on, theory-based experiments. In these experiments we deviated from laboratory manuals while stay within the boundaries of the materials covered in the class. Groups were formed with five students in each. An empirical problem was given to each group along with some low-tech row material. In each group, members designed an experiment to find a solution to the given problem. The computers, sensors and other electronic data capturing equipment were excluded with an exception to cell phones during these exercises. The students were encouraged to follow old fashion techniques to gather data with a better understanding. These experiments were limited only for 45 minutes and arranged in weekly basis. The students were graded for their contribution, creativity in setting up experiment and accuracy of the solution. They were eager and excied to learn through these types of experiments