Making physics easy to comprehend
noted professor in the department of physics at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) HC Varma has started a massive online open course (MOOC) for learning physics through experiments.
Varma told media persons that the registration for course that would be free of cost started from August 7 and continue till September 19. The course would begin from September 20.
He said so far over 5500 candidates have registered for the course and of these about 1500 were school students, 1500 postgraduate and 250 were PhDs from different states.
Many teachers have also registered for the course, he said, adding that it was sponsored by the Centre for Development of Technical Education (CDTE), IIT-K. “The course would provide a forum to the participants and they would be allowed to ask questions and others can reply. The evaluation would be done on the basis of regular viewing of lecture videos, participation in discussion, performance in online quizzes and other activities and would decide the eligibility for certificate from CDTE to the participants,” he said.
The theme of the course was to free physics education from class room teaching only. At present science education in schools and colleges was textbook-based and has little connection with real world.
Science experiments were also with specialised instruments which students do not connect with. In this course about 70 experiments will be shown with commonly available material, Dr Verma said.
“Going beyond the examinations, this course will give real feel of physics paving way to qualities like critical thinking, questioning and experimentation. Teachers will get realisation that high level physics can be taught with simple things like cello tape, balloons, syringes and so on,” Varma added.
This course will give real feel of physics paving way to qualities like critical thinking, questioning and experimentation. HC VARMA, Professor IIT-K