Modelling the Motion of an Athlete: An Interactive Video Lesson for Teaching Physics

Abstract

By using interactive video, particularly the videodisc, students can view and analyze situations which happen outside the classroom. The videodisc enables students to observe and measure the motion of athletes. To analyze the data from such motion the students can develop models of the athlete; then, compare the predictions of the model to the actual motion. Using this procedure students learn about motion and, more importantly, begin to understand the use of models in scientific work.