PhysicsLAB

PhysicsLAB Survey
Student Comments: 2000-2001


What was the least difficult aspect of the class this year?
  • The physics knowledge necessary to complete AP Physics C.
  • DC circuits
  • the final exam being a practice AP test
  • doing vocabulary
  • it was all fairly easy but the wave forms and Doppler effects, and snells laws were the easiest.
  • The interaction between the internet and the teacher.
  • Snell's Law, graphs, mirrors
  • Coming into the classroom and accessing PhysicsLab to find out what was going on.
  • Making it to class and paying attention. It was a very interesting class.
  • the note taking and the on-line quizzes.
  • working in the computers made the class a fun one to come with
  • Learning to navigate PhysicsLAB Online.
  • being able to go on-line and get my missing assignments. Keeping me organized. Being able to get my work if I forgot what to do and being able to look up the information hen needed for worksheets and homework.
  • quizzes, tests
  • doing the Physics Olympics practice labs
  • Probably some of the kinematics equation problems
  • Understanding the teacher.
  • knowing what to do at anytime
  • Getting my assignments
  • the assignments and what I missed since it kept an account on the computer of what's turned in and what is missing
  • the white board, labs as a group, Physics Olympics
  • getting to a computer to get my physics homework
  • Getting signatures from Colwell
  • I considered easy the labs completed this year. We had resource lessons with all the information we needed to understand and complete the labs easily
  • the use of the website
  • labs
  • movement, displacement and the speed at certain times
  • for me there was no easy part and this was my HARDEST class all year
  • The least difficult was that you can always find time to complete your homework.
  • Cooperating with the teacher, and getting along with class mates on a day to day basis
  • The least difficult aspect of this class was the notebook and the CP workbook assignments.
  • Taking notes.
  • Reviewing over the mechanics section
  • Learning the material came quite easily for me this year.
  • Using Computers
  • The least difficult aspect of the class were the online worksheets.
  • formulas
  • The least difficult aspect of the class was the Physics Olympics
  • The internet quizzes
  • Staying focused...there was a lot going on, all of which could lead a student astray, but more than anything I got more focused! Things in Physics were just more interesting than I thought they would be.
  • some of the labs and vocabulary
  • finding out what the assignment was for a day I had missed.
  • Working with a computer
  • many of the online assignments were made quite easy because of the in depth descriptions
  • Using the online format of PhysicsLab.
  • The online worksheets were very easy after learning all the information used on them.
  • keeping organized with all the labs wksts and assignments that were given
  • Doing the labs with a partner.
  • Finding out what you missed when you were absent.
  • Participating in class each day.
  • It was so nice if I didn't understand something, instead of just ignoring the lesson and moving on to the next one, I had the opportunity to go home and read and understand the lesson at my pace.
  • I would of said interacting with the teacher, but really it wasn't. She was very open to the class and answer everyone's questions.
  • The least difficult aspect of the class was understanding the resource lessons. They are put in a rhetoric that can be understood by everyone, regardless of race or generation.
  • Sitting in on the class, and doing the in-class assignments.
  • Finding out what I have to do.
  • keeping up with the class work
  • The least difficult aspect of the class this year was taking class notes. The whiteboard really helped.
  • Newton's Laws
  • Access to needed materials. Everything I needed was always on the PhysicsLAB.
  • There wasn't one really.
  • There was none.
  • The vocabulary was least difficult
  • nothing was really simple
  • The web based curriculum and daily agenda.
  • completing on-line work.
  • Learning the material presented.
  • To keep track of what the schedule was
  • Attendance
  • Getting back caught up when I miss class. Because when you miss on day it feels like a month
  • The least difficult aspect of the year would have to be, for me, understanding the material and following along with Ms. Colwell.
  • DC circuits
  • All of the vocab sheets
  • There was no real least difficult thing in this class everything was pretty easy and having the PhysicsLab helped alot.
  • doing the labs
  • Knowing that if I were absent or away that I could access the assignments online and not fall behind
  • taking online quizzes with a partner
  • none of it
  • online worksheets
  • Physics Olympics, and Freefall
  • The notes and learning new material
  • The material ;-)
  • Keeping up with assignments and what was done in past lessons and future lessons.
  • submitting work online
  • The least difficult aspect of this class this year was when we were studying mirrors Concave /Convex mirrors.
  • Keeping my notebook together was no problem because if I forgot aything I could print it from online and put it in my notebook.
  • finding out the assignments that I missed
  • keeping up with what I had completed. getting a hold of lessons.
  • the least difficult aspect of the class would be the notebook grades because you had everything or you could get anything you needed
  • Navigating the resources on physicslab. I felt the site well very well set up.
  • the least difficult aspect was drawing the different diagrams off the computer and taking notes off the whiteboard
  • kinematics equations
  • The material we learned, it was easy
  • I am horrible at physics so... nothing was easy for me. Everything was a challenge. To me, Newton was the guy who got knocked out by the apple. Of course I now know that he was the one who created the three laws of motion. But still... the apple theory is better.
  • Understanding PhysicsLab.
  • sva graphs
  • Finding out assignments in order to keep up/make up work. That REALLY helped me to keep myself in check.
  • Physics Olympics, because I got 2 second places.

What was the most difficult aspect of the class this year?

  • Learning the calculus necessary to complete AP Physics C.
  • Maintaining an up to date notebook
  • The AP test
  • the AP essays from the review sessions
  • Doing tests
  • horizontal and vertical projectiles
  • nothing was extremely difficult
  • Projectiles
  • Physics in general. The concepts this year were increasingly more difficult than my first year.
  • The most difficult aspect was trying to sleep in class. It never worked since I would always miss something.
  • the final exams
  • being in class with a teacher whom is so organized! LOL
  • Finding and keeping all my assignments to keep in my notebook.
  • There wasn't really anything difficult. It's kind of hard to keep up with all of the assignments and to get the worksheets done but then I could always go view it online.
  • completing all my work
  • coming back to school, after missing a few days, into a hard topic
  • Mirrors
  • Remembering to check PhysicsLab to see if we had any homework
  • trying to find individual in-depth help other than after school or at lunch
  • The online quizzes were the most difficult for me.
  • when I would miss assignments or when we went over new material I had to learn it by myself so it was hard keeping up after that
  • Convex Mirrors
  • notebooks, paper tests by myself, quizzes, homework from the book
  • Understudying things that weren't clearly stated
  • Understanding material before the quizzes
  • the preparation for the AP exam
  • notebooks
  • CP workbooks
  • mirror/lens calculations
  • trying to keep a good grade by the quizzes/tests having to be re-scaled after them being taken and then getting a general opinion on them.
  • The most difficult aspect of the class was taking the test by yourself.
  • the whole AP title of the course scared me
  • The most difficult aspect was the paper test and sometimes test on the computer.
  • learning the concepts of the lesson
  • the note books
  • Getting notebooks together.
  • magnetism
  • The most difficult aspect had to be keeping my notebook together.
  • Ray diagrams
  • The most difficult aspect of the class were the tests. They were difficult and the way they were graded made them very harsh. They were also a large percentage of our grades.
  • Were the quizzes, they just seemed to be so different from all of the work that we had just previously learned.
  • The labs
  • There wasn't anything to very difficult at all. But if I had to pick one thing it would probably be, when we were trying to complete a lab, there wasn't always enough time to finish it during one class period.
  • tests because I never do well at them
  • being used to working with a partner and then having to work with someone different.
  • dependency on partners
  • keeping from procrastinating on all of my work in all of my classes
  • the tests were fairly difficult
  • Keeping up with all the work
  • The Labs were the most difficult thing this year yet still fun
  • some of the conceptual physics was hard to understand for ME; ie, electricity and magnetism
  • The paper tests
  • Getting a deep understanding of all the information without Mrs. Colwell to explain and show what she is saying.
  • Understanding information enough to take paper test.
  • What was difficult was keeping what I had on paper with what I turned in on the computer. I always forgot what I needed to have in my notebook and what we could just submit online.
  • When we fly through assignments, it was very hard to comprehend from what we were doing then jump to another topic.
  • The everyday class work
  • The paper tests. I felt taken out of the partner environment that helped me gain more confidence in my own abilities. It was also more difficult because I was used to taking quizzes on the computer in that specific class.
  • Actually coming to class, and doing the out of school assignments.
  • Projectiles released at an angle
  • Catching up on information that I missed and not get
  • there was no difficult aspect of this year
  • springs
  • The most difficult aspect was taking tests.
  • Graphing (Velocity-Time graph, etc..)
  • Some Resource Lessons weren't as complete/ in depth with vocabulary, examples, etc. for me to use to study from for tests and quizzes. A fully solved example of how to solve a problem with a given equation would have been beneficial. This was not a problem with most of the Resource Lessons, however, some were not as useful as others.
  • The mathematical aspect of it all.
  • When we got into topics that had a lot of formulas, the formulas made it more difficult
  • tests
  • Days that Mrs. Colwell was absent.
  • The tests by myself. I understand the concepts of Physics that we study, but when the questions mix things around I usually get confused and don't do well.
  • Completing all assignments
  • The tests
  • thermal dynamics; learning it after school in review sessions
  • staying caught up
  • The most difficult aspect, for me, would probably be the tests because I work better in groups and my partner and I had to work separately on the tests.
  • Angular Momentum
  • All of the equations because I did not understand all of the formulas.
  • There was nothing that was truly difficult in this class.
  • paper tests
  • The class moves really fast, and physics was a new language to me, so I think that if I had had a better background before I got into the class I might not have had to struggle to learn the basics.
  • passing paper tests alone
  • everything
  • everything was challenging for me but I was able to accomplish it
  • Lens
  • The tests
  • Notebook requirements
  • The quizzes and test, but that it because Mrs. Colwell knows how to make them challenging.
  • The work
  • the most difficult aspect of this class was the trigonometry part as well as all the other advanced mathematics invalid in physics 1 honors.(Math just isn't my thing)
  • At the beginning of the year when I had to learn to get used to the different equations, and understand wave speed/length, refraction, the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves. It was all so new and it seemed we had to learn it so fast.
  • getting the work done on paper as well as having to submit it online, it felt as though I was a secretary and couldn't spend as much time focusing on the actual work
  • some of the topics covered. Missing class would cause a person to miss alot.
  • I think the most difficult aspect would be some of the test some were hard to understand
  • Coming to class
  • rememorizing the different formulas,graphs (sva),and laws
  • Newton's Laws
  • When minor keying errors got me discouraged; saying that I received a 7/10 when I really got a 10/10. The system needs a check. It is usually checked by the fact that it is weird when every student misses the question, however.
  • Everything! What can I say? I'm a moron.
  • Keeping a notebook intact. One problem with PhysicsLab is that many students don't keep a running notebook and because of that nothing gets signed and many peoples grade gets lowered.
  • lenses
  • Trying to make sure that all the work that I did on paper I submitted on-line. =)
  • SVA graphs.

What was your least favorite aspect of the class this year?

  • The calculus, I'm not that great at it, and we had to learn a fair deal of it before we were taught it in AP Calculus AB
  • Notebooks
  • Doing a lot of homework
  • review sessions
  • Writing notes
  • the book work
  • nothing in particular
  • Book work
  • The amount of work that had to be complete each day because I am taking an AP class.
  • The book work. I like having the problems online.
  • tests
  • the fact that some things had to be done on paper rather than computers
  • Working with other people in groups for quizzes and labs.
  • Sometimes I though the class went too fast and I had to catch up which got confusing and aggravating but I got though it
  • nothing really, I liked this class
  • exams
  • Probably the harder tests and quizzes.
  • organizing my notebook
  • textbook assignments
  • the online quizzes
  • just equations memorizing them in general, I dot like to memorize and regurgitate information, we should use notes or equations given to us
  • Don't have one
  • notebooks, anything you had to do alone and got graded for
  • Taking quizzes that were totally different from the review
  • The resource lessons
  • review sessions, but all of them were completely essential to achieve success in the AP exam
  • notebooks
  • Signing of Papers
  • waves wavelength etc...
  • taking the tests/quizzes and having the groups being taken in groups of friends, and I think their grades reflect their partners abilities and not always their own. thereby based on how smart you partner was, could swing you a letter grade.
  • My least favorite was taking the quizzes and tests.
  • Tests.tests, tests and tests
  • Test!!!
  • the AP essays
  • the note books
  • Homework
  • All of those AP essays....but they did come in handy for the AP test
  • Notebooks
  • Ray diagrams
  • My least favorite aspect of the class were the tests.
  • concepts
  • Where taking the test by myself
  • The tests
  • Sometimes we moved a little fast, and things might have gotten a little confusing at times, but it definitely something that a senior in High School needs to get used to
  • taking tests individually
  • having to keep a notebook. Maybe we should keep a notebook on-line.
  • wasted time learning things I'd never use
  • Ms. Colwell taking out her insanity on me
  • I enjoyed everything about the class. the only thing I didn't like was a couple rowdy students who never know when to shut up
  • Keeping a Notebook
  • None
  • Keeping a physics notebook, though it was beneficial.
  • I can't think of any.
  • Doing so poorly on the qualifying exam
  • I was bad about keeping up what I did and didn't do. Sometimes I wrote the assignment in my notebook but forgot to submit online or vice-versa. It severely hurt my grade throughout the year.
  • time reaction lab
  • the amount of homework
  • The tests. They just made me feel uncomfortable.
  • Doing all the work.
  • Mrs.Colwell being absent
  • textbook assignments
  • the book assignments that had to be done
  • taking the APB qualifying exam...(it was too stressful, yet I can see why it is necessary.)
  • My least favorite aspect was having to do a notebook when we worked on the internet mostly.
  • Kinematics Equations
  • Frustration with Resource Lessons that weren't as "resourceful" as others.
  • Tests!!!!!
  • The tests.
  • Projectiles
  • taking notes
  • Days that Mrs. Colwell was absent.
  • Completing my Physics notebook and keeping up with it.
  • Friends who do not know the material bugging me to be their "Lab Partner", so they could get a free grade
  • None
  • not having enough time to properly cover ALL of the material
  • The least aspect was the attention that was received.
  • I think that tests would have to be the worst thing for me in this class.
  • Angular Momentum
  • Nothing
  • I have no least favorite everything pretty good: the labs, the Physics Olympics events, and the computer based curriculum
  • keeping a notebook
  • My least favorite aspect of this year is that the class moves really fast. If you don't do your homework you're a little lost.
  • taking tests alone
  • none
  • tests
  • Tests that I felt I should have done better on making me feel like I didn't understand the material.
  • The tests
  • some of the more boring labs
  • The quizzes. They were very challenging
  • Paper tests
  • My least favorite aspect of this class would probably be all the math thetas involved in physics, math isn't really my thing , I tend to like it seldomly when I understand, which is not often.
  • The pace of the class when you don't understand you seem to get lost in it, because it was already mapped out and didn't slow down.
  • how hard some of the work (topics), quizzes, and tests were.
  • the book work because sometimes it felt like the book and the curriculum were to different things
  • Not knowing what's going on due to the fact that I was not present in class for a month and a half.
  • I didn't have a least favorite aspect
  • Waves
  • The uncomfortable lab seats, they have no cushion or back, and often caused soreness in my lower back, and made it harder to concentrate.
  • The tests and the fast paced criteria. We, the slow people of the United States (who worship Jerry Springer but have no clue who the current president is,) need a slower paced class. Its not that we can't do it, its that some of us work better when we can fully understand the reasons behind certain forms of logic that govern over problems and such.
  • lenses
  • I didn't have one. I loved this class, I loved the TEACHER, and I loved the ActiveClassroom approach.
  • it's was hard to understand a resource lesson if you weren't in class during that lesson or it was to catch on.

What was your favorite aspect of the class this year?

  • The tight knit group that we had in Physics C.
  • Mrs. Colwell!!!
  • Doing the labs
  • Physics Olympics
  • Computer access
  • the labs on line
  • My favorite aspect of class was that I was able to get all my work
  • labs
  • the computers and the enthusiasm of the instructor with the technology
  • Physics Olympics and the all of the stuff we learned was interesting, but for me personally waves were a little difficult.
  • The teacher was so cool. she made it fun and easy. The ability to do physics online was cool too. Being able to keep up with all of my work and going back to it was the thing I liked the most
  • Physics Olympics stuff, and learning cool stuff I didn't know
  • The teacher (Mrs.Colwell) and the integration of the online course. It made it very nice and organized. I have seen very good results come out of her hard work and that makes the class much more enjoyable.
  • The knowledge I have gained about the field of physics. Which may possibly lead to a career in that area.
  • learning
  • Being able to get my assignment online, getting the notes through net meeting, and having Mrs. Colwell as a teacher.
  • the online activities and the white board, I have bad vision so it let me see things without squinting
  • white board, Physics Olympics
  • Working with the computers on a daily term
  • The NetMeeting and IBID whiteboard
  • the teacher
  • Being able to have class over the internet Especially the whiteboard
  • physics Olympics days
  • the teacher is good
  • My favorite aspect was during the labs(mini projects) with groups of people and the worksheets.
  • I liked doing all the labs that we did, they were pretty interesting and they went along with the work we were doing. I also liked the Physics Olympics, it was very fun and interesting competing against other school based on our expertise.
  • Physics Olympics, and the labs
  • The labs, resource lesson, and Physics Olympics!!
  • Online quizzes
  • physics Olympics...I won 3rd place in soda straw :)
  • Getting A's finally
  • My favorite aspect of the class was the use of the computers and the whiteboard. It kept me interested in the and involved in the class.
  • the teacher
  • Were all of the labs, I feel as if there should be more labs and I feel as if I would make better grades.
  • Mrs. Colwell is a very out going teacher, and made it fun to learn Physics. It helps to have a teacher that enjoys being there, and will do anything to make learning a lot more fun! She did just that!
  • taking quizzes with a partner
  • being able to use the computer to learn things that you would usually need a book for. Also the white board helped a lot with taking notes because you could see exactly what Mrs. Colwell was doing.
  • goofing around with Physics Olympics, in which no one learned anything
  • Ms. Colwell's insanity
  • the labs were a lot of fun and so was the Physics Olympics
  • The ability to access all work and check grades and assignments online
  • the use of technology to learn. the white board and the computer gave a variety of opportunities to find information
  • Watching Mrs. Colwell do physics demonstrations.
  • Having everything she said in the lectures right in front of you on the computer screen.
  • The people and interesting lessons learned ie. nuclear physics.
  • I loved going online for my assignments and lessons. I could be at home or even at a friends house and pull up what we were doing the next day or the lesson for that day! I also loved Physics Olympics, it was so fun and educational because you had to think about a logic or idea in every event you did.
  • Probably doing labs hands on.
  • Mrs. Colwell
  • I really enjoyed the teacher interaction with the students. I believe the teacher really and truly cares about whether or not the students understand the concepts. She also showed great concern and understanding to those who were absent whether it was perpetual or not.
  • Being able to learn so many different types of physics.
  • My favorite thing was the group interaction and watching Mrs.Colwell explain the assignment
  • all of the groups lab's
  • Mrs. Colwell's "Mrs. Frizzledom" i.e. her semantics and acting out as examples the different principals of physical properties. that coupled with the relaxed learning environment, made it more comfortable to learn.
  • Labs and preparing for Physics Olympics were my favorite aspects. Anything hands on.
  • Thin Lens
  • The use of technology in the classroom saving me the risk of breaking my back with another bulky text book in my bookbag.
  • Learning about the lenses
  • The labs and practicing for Physics Olympics
  • Being able to ask the teacher questions and not feel as though you have no idea what you are talking about.
  • I liked the Labs and I also enjoyed the Physics Olympics.
  • Teacher
  • I really enjoyed working with ActiveClassroom and Mrs Colwell
  • mechanics
  • Working together as a group and getting alone with others.
  • I absolutely loved doing Labs and On-line Quizzes. It was always fun for me and Dawn to see if we could get all the answers right and beat out our classmates.
  • Bullseye Lab
  • That the teacher always helped me and everybody else with everything.
  • My favorite aspect of the class was learning how things work and operate in nature.
  • Mrs. Colwell's demos
  • My favorite part of the entire year is that I had a partner that I worked with everyday. We helped each other and learned together. I think that teaching someone else is teaching yourself.
  • taking quizzes with a partner and having grades posted on the website
  • seating arraignment
  • being able to work in groups
  • The group work and having the opportunity to meet and study with other students.
  • Learning new material and doing labs to demonstrate the way these things happen in real life
  • How easy it was to continue my studies away from the classroom and still and all the necessary resource.
  • Coloring
  • My favorite aspect in this class this year was all the fun but educational labs that we engaged in. My favorite was the mirror reflection lab.
  • Being able to go back to make sure you understand without bothering your teacher with it everyday until she/he remembers to give it to you.
  • the technology
  • the physics olympics and the computer based class.
  • the great learning environment the room to move and still complete all you work
  • Learning new things.
  • the many demonstrations Mrs.Colwell did in class and the labs for the Physics Olympics
  • Ray diagrams
  • Well, the best part was getting to know Mrs. Colwell, I can't say I enjoy learning EVERY day, but she made it tolerable, even when I just wanted to slack.
  • The web assignments, but mostly the labs.
  • Mrs. Colwell
  • sva graphs
  • I LOVED the group work on assignments and quizzes! It helped me to reason better when I was able to talk out loud with a friend.

What advice would you give to someone who is going to enroll in physics next year to help them do well in the course?

  • Don't waste any classroom time, it is very valuable. You can learn best when there are others around you who are learning also.
  • Get to know Mrs. Colwell as best as possible
  • Go to class and do the homework
  • do all the homework and keep a good notebook
  • Pay attention and ask as many question as you need to fully understand the class
  • pay attention and ask questions when you don't understand
  • I would advise them to follow up with the Internet and always look ahead and go over their resource lessons
  • Keep up with all the work, check the website daily and review for the class daily
  • Make sure you do your homework and the worksheets online to check your knowledge of the subject.
  • Make sure they have access to a computer, just in case they have to miss class.
  • do your work
  • get a computer that will allow u to go online at home
  • Just make sure they keep all their signed papers for their notebook.
  • Don't fall behind and not do the assignments because they will always be there, you will fall so far behind and its hard to get caught up. Pay attention to the teacher  and come to class, learn how to work well with others
  • keep all your work organized in your notebook, and make sure to get everything signed.
  • be prepared to learn a lot about everything
  • Always keep up with your assignments and USE the PhysicsLAB online Web Site because it really helps a lot, especially in a course that can be very difficult at times.
  • Complete the work assigned to you in an efficient time, because more will come soon.
  • keep up your notebook and work
  • Go to class, pay attention and have fun
  • make sure you understand all equations if not you wont do well
  • Pay attention in class, and keep a neat notebook
  • keep up with their notebook, do all homework while you still remember how
  • This isn't a course that everything will fall into your lap. It is easy but it has its ups and downs, just stay focused.
  • Pay attention to everything not just one lesson or worksheet
  • keep track of your work and notebook
  • learn to type
  • Stay focused
  • don't goof off in class, pay attention to Mrs. Colwell, and if you don't understand ask for help
  • get a smart partner in the beginning of the year and don't let them leave 1/2 way through the year.
  • My advice would be to never miss a day because you will never know what you might miss something fun.
  • This class will be a great asset to you as you venture on to college as well as your career. It not only helps you to better understand computer skills, but enhances your learning abilities.
  • get ready to have to study and little more than usual but also prepare to have a blast
  • My advice to students that plan to enroll in this physics class next year is to make sure that you keep up your notebook and turn it in on TIME!!!
  • PhysicsLAB is your friend, it is your way to passing the AP test and Physics I
  • nothing, Mrs. Colwell give them everything that they need.
  • Go to class, stay awake, do SOME work, and learn something. BTW, not having a notebook will really hurt your grade. But what you learn is more important than your grade. So you don't HAVE to do a notebook.
  • Stay organized and keep a good notebook
  • Keep your notebook in order!
  • Stay ahead of everything, you get motivated when you think you're ahead of everyone else. When you get behind, it's all over.
  • Do your online assignments and study for tests and quizzes.
  • sit next to the smart kid
  • To make sure that you have good computer skills, and you understanding skills
  • Do all the worksheets and come to class. Every little thing helps your grade.
  • Always come to class with all your work done, take tons of notes, and it'll be whatever you make of it! Have fun, because it is a fun class!
  • Stay alert and focused at all times
  • always pay attention to the white board and don't print out your notes even though you can because you don't learn anything.
  • do the assignments on time
  • DO NOT SKIP!!! if you skip even one day you could miss out on a huge amount of information
  • Keep up your notebook!
  • Keep up with your work and make sure you listen and use the white board, if you do it will be easy.
  • you must be disciplined. AP physics is a course where you MUST keep up on a daily basis. and you must review on your own time as a weekly habit.
  • Be sure to make use of all the resources that are part of PhysicsLAB.
  • Come to class and hear the lectures because then when you see the information on the web site it all makes since.
  • Study.
  • Keep up with all assignments in your notebook and online!
  • Keep a Folder with you at all times when going into that class.
  • Make sure you have a lot of math background.
  • Take good notes and don't be afraid to ask questions or for help.
  • Keep up with all your assignments, pay attention in class, and always do your notebook.
  • Take lots and lots of notes and don't be afraid to ask questions cause others might not know but don't want to speak up cause they're afraid also.
  • Use Activeclassroom
  • maintain a good habit of study
  • like to do group activities
  • Do ALL your work!!!!!!!! and don't skip any review sessions!!!!
  • Keep up your notebook and dot procrastinate your web assignments.
  • Keep up your notebook!
  • Check the site regularly to make sure your notebook is up to date.
  • Stay on top of things, don't skip.
  • No skipping and study hard!
  • Do every practice, worksheet, etc. and keep a good notebook
  • pay attention when Mrs. Colwell talks
  • Keep your notebook maintained and be in class as often as possible. Pay attention to Mrs. Colwell and listen.
  • Be sure that you have access to the internet outside of school. It will help you a great deal. Also stay organized and keep up with your notebook.
  • LISTEN to Mrs. Colwell and ask her about any material you do not understand
  • Go to class daily and do your assignments when they're first posted
  • to try to keep up and review like crazy
  • Keep your attendance good. Don't be afraid to ask questions because you will get behind and that's a fact.
  • I would tell them to have a lot of fun and not let the size of the load of work get them down because it goes by rather quickly due to Mrs. Colwell and her craziness! :)
  • Do all of you work and notebook.
  • Make sure you take notes and come to class and pa attention.
  • I'd say study it and don't try to think off it as a complex thing because when you learn it it's very easy.
  • make sure that you read the resource lessons
  • I would say do all of your homework and assignments. The resource lessons are the backbone of the class, so you would need to study those quite often.
  • have good attendance and pay attention and show effort
  • study
  • keep up with the work and if you don't understand ask for help!
  • Keep up with the notebooks they will be your saving grace, and participate in any extra credit activities you will find that they help you understand the material better, and get extra credit as well.
  • Keep an organized notebook and take lots of notes to study from
  • Keep track of your notebook stuff
  • Do as much work your self as possible, you will score better on the test and quizzes.
  • Always keep up with your work
  • If you don't have a computer, try to get your parents to get you one because it will be very useful and accommodating. have a calculator (good one) color pencils, never ever miss this class because everyday is very full of new information that you will need , never be afraid to come in during lunch or after school for extra help. (Colwell's pretty GOOD)
  • Use this online resource to your advantage. It is very helpful and you don't have to worry about your teacher saying you didn't take your quiz or turn in that worksheet because you can go online and find the required and completed assignments.
  • never get behind, and don't put stuff of because it is easy because you just keep digging yourself in a deeper hole
  • to keep up with their work. pay attention and be there everyday. ask questions if something doesn't make sense.
  • just stay on top of things and you'll be fine
  • Pay attention to everything that is said.
  • keep colored pencils, and just be ready to have fun and see the world through Physics
  • If you take physics be ready to focus.
  • Bring a pad for your bottom, and dot get behind in the assignments online, because you'll have to make it up eventually. (no pun intended)
  • Study, study, study, study... then study some more until you begin wondering what the potential energy is of your car (which is sitting in your driveway because you goofed up and got it taken away from you for a month...)
  • Always keep interested in the course and alert. Keep a steady notebook and you'll be fine.
  • Stay on top of things, don't slack when it comes to the course work.
  • Show up to class, pay attention, and do your homework. Same as any other class.
  • If you attend class everyday and you at LEAST could try to do some work you would never get lower than a "C".

Recommendations and improvements?

  • It would be nice to see a database of all available curriculum, like the outline does, but more in depth searches. Allow users to search for everything related to say kinematics or electrostatics, instead of just CP workbooks or resource lessons.
  • Eventually eliminate the need for keeping a written notebook.
  • A way to talk to other students in other physics classes
  • some games and links to other websites
  • I believe that it is a very good idea to let the other teachers use the active classroom...It's a great and easy experience!
  • ActiveClassroom is a great project that should continue, but I never became aware of this useful tool until I enrolled in Ms. Colwell's Physics class. Other classes in Mainland should actively participate in this program to keep their students aware of their assignments.
  • I love having my classes on ActiveClassroom. I wish that all my teachers would do that so I never have to worry about what I miss.
  • to see your grade all the time
  • Thank you so much Mrs. Colwell for helping me with new technology and for giving me the best class that I have ever had at Mainland High School
  • current display of grade in class.
  • I think the teacher was awesome. I love her because she made this class fun and simple for me/ I enjoyed taking physics this year, it was fun. ActiveClassroom is a very wonderful way of keeping up with your work and staying organized.
  • I would like to view my current grade at any time
  • starting another class with qualified teachers like Mrs. Colwell, so that we can answer the high demand for this class
  • I think that the PhysicsLAB Online course has the ability to teach the student by itself, but I do not feel as though the pupil would have as good of an understanding over the material if not for the teacher. I also feel that Mrs.Colwell did a wonderful job at both implementing and complimenting the software.
  • I think ActiveClassroom should implement an email alert system. So that when a teacher does assign work outside of class, or an assignment is close to being due and you have not yet completed it, you would be sent an email informing you of what's going on.
  • we need more computers
  • ActiveClassroom is great. I believe that if all teachers were on it, then student grades would rise and it would be much easier to get homework assignments.
  • this is a really good course with an excellent teacher, I might not have the best grade but I try and it has been a pleasure being part of the program
  • I think Mrs. Colwell did a great job this year in 6th period and she should give Alison an A
  • I enjoyed my learning experience with Mrs. Colwell this year and using the computers day-to-day was an excellent experience
  • interactive discussion form a flash or dhtml interface :)
  • an explanation in flat out terms so that when a student misses a day of instruction he/she will be able to be at home and understand just as well as a student who was in class and received the instruction
  • CONSTANT grading updates, I learned alot, but much more effort than I would have originally thought it would take to get through this class
  • I strongly recommend that all teachers should have ActiveClassroom!! It has been an excellent resource for me !! It is easy to access information for class assignments,homework and review for tests!!
  • Good job Mrs. Colwell, your work was not unnoticed
  • I would have like some form of a chat room so I could converse about problems I was having on the work.
  • You're very good at what you do. You love your students more than any other teacher. There is only one thing I can think of that you should add. You should have a page where students can chat.
  • We have all this high tech equipment, yet our chairs were extremely uncomfortable!
  • A glossary that actually has definitions to words you look up!!! A better color scheme, its kind of a stale combination of yellow and green. People would overall be more impressed when they first see the site (people giving grants, $$) if the site was more aesthetically pleasing.
  • I would like to see the notes that are written on the whiteboard posted online so that they can be accessed and printed outside of school.
  • a web-based interactive discussion board
  • ActiveClassroom is the bomb, it made things alot easier to understand.
  • I've thoroughly enjoyed this class! Not many people would think of Physics as fun, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! I recommend this class to all underclassmen!
  • I don't think there is anything that's needed for the Active Classroom
  • I would like it more if we kept a notebook on-line since we do all of our work on-line anyway.
  • more customizability
  • better search feature.
  • none
  • Even though your teaching in the final 5 weeks or so was rather fast for me I don't believe it was unreasonable. In fact I thought that the structure during this time was well planned and by that I mean I like the way you taught. Furthermore, I strongly believe that if you gave out the those AP review work sheets and formula sheets at the beginning of the year that this would give the opportunity of those you need to memorize ahead of time a significant advantage. As far as the AP review session that were very informative but simply too long. I personally would prefer more reviews session at a less amount of time but I understand that is YOUR time. This theme of more in less intervals could be applied to your curriculum further. In last few weeks I felt burdened with AP essays to do. In a sense you would simply be playing with the psychology of the students.....By simply giving one AP essay or maybe two but on a more consistent daily basis. If the student doesn't complete it then obviously they would get behind. Ok I think you understand. Anyway I would wanted to say thank you for your endless hours of dedication to our education. Thank you for your hospitality and warm personality which made it a joy to see and hear you laugh.
  • Add more science fair ideas.
  • I like it a lot.
  • Thank you Mrs. Colwell. You are a great teacher and I am glad that I have had the opportunity to spend two years with you.
  • I think Mrs. Colwell is a fine teacher and I think she has the best teaching techniques. When you don't understand something, she puts everything in terms where you will understand and makes the lesson so much easier. This class is probably the most interesting class I have ever had because she has taught me so much. She is very knowledgeable and a great person too!!!
  • I would like to see the " Lights" on when we work on the computers. :) But I would like to see the a Internet hook up from an outside link to the ActiveClassroom white board. So in case someone was sick they can see when the teacher will be using it nor what time/day will she be on. Having a Video feed might help also for people that cant get to school on a sick day.
  • I appreciate everything Mrs. Colwell. You are one of those rare teachers who goes far above and beyond the call.
  • solutions as to how to do the problems, sometimes the onsets dot give us much hint as to how to do the problem
  • Mrs.Colwell is an excellent teacher and if she needs funds for anything there should be no questions asked because it is all in the name of science.
  • have every teacher use it and daily update it
  • the book assignments to be put on to the site and do them from there.
  • We love you Mrs. Colwell, you have been our Mrs. Frizzle, and I will always remember you and your devotion to teaching in the unorthodox methods of the active classroom. You have turned me on to physics. THANK YOU!!! -Nicholas Bucceri c/o 2001
  • I think we should be able to put our notebook together online instead of on paper.
  • It would be useful to have the list of everything that is expected to be in the notebook posted at all times with links to each of the assignments, labs, etc. This would save the time of having to search for an old assignment, as well as keeping everyone from worrying about what they need in their notebook and having to scramble the week before it's due to get their missing assignments done.
  • I love you Mrs.Colwell I'm going to miss you so much! Don't worry I'll come see you when I come home from Tampa.
  • I love you Mrs. Colwell !!!!!!!!! I'll miss you but I'll come back!!!
  • I think ActiveClassroom is a really good addition to a class. Every teacher at Mainland should at least post assuagements and general outlines, if not as involved as PhysicsLAB is. If possible, I would like to see a link to e-mail questions to the teacher or reliable source.
  • I like it a lot
  • Good job!!!!
  • The ActiveClassroom feature and was very helpful. More classes should use it.
  • Nothing really
  • possibly an online chatroom for students to collaborate outside of school
  • I feel it's good just like it is.
  • I would have loved to have seen an updated grade sheet for every Friday on the assignments we completed that week.
  • Have multiple monitors to maximize workspace. Watching the whiteboard while utilizing a resource lesson for reference. Not having to minimize and click all the time.
  • more science fair ideas
  • Mrs.Colwell has really opened my eyes to technology. I thank her for all of her patience with me. I really struggled with some parts of physics, but she was always there to help. Thank-you!
  • I like the way that PhysicsLAB is set up now
  • I'd like to see it being almost totally web based. (ie, no notebooks and very few paper worksheets) Otherwise, I've never had a better class - Keep it the same.
  • Something that will constantly let me know what my current grade is in the class. I feel seeing my grade fluctuate would make me more attentive to my studies.
  • Physics is FUN!
  • I would like a personal page for the students. Where if you want to check up on or to see what your status on grades in a certain class, you can type in the class and your Alpha code and see your grades in that subject and to get missing homework (actual paper you can print it out)
  • I'd like to see a change in the search link because a lot of times you are looking for something and it just says it doesn't exist so maybe it could be linked to another website.
  • if you were absent and you had access to a computer you could log on to NetMeeting and join the class
  • The use of physicslab I felt was more carefree than the normal write it down and turn it in system.
  • Please get better lab chairs....please.
  • I would like to see more interactive assignments... and maybe some lessons taught by Christina Aguilera. But I'll settle for Jennifer Lopez.
  • Maybe a little more interactive.
  • There is nothing I can think of that needs to be added. The main thing that I enjoyed in active classroom was the fact that I could see what I was doing at all times and that old work was always accessible. I really enjoyed physics...and I'm a person who does NOT like science! =)
  • It would easier if our workbook homework assignment would be included in ActiveClassroom.