College Physics: A Strategic Approach (3rd Edition)

Book Preface

In 2006, we published College Physics: A Strategic Approach, a new algebra-based physics textbook for students majoring in the biological and life sciences, archi tecture, natural resources, and other disciplines. As the first such book built from the ground up on research into how students can more effectively learn physics, it quickly gained widespread critical acclaim from professors and students alike. For the second edition, and now for this third edition, we have continued to build on the research-proven instructional techniques introduced in the first edition and the exten­sive feedback from thousands of users to take student learning even further.

Objectives

Our primary goals in writing College Physics: A Strategic Approach have been:

•    To provide students with a textbook that’s a more manageable size, less encyclo pedic in its coverage, and better designed for learning.
•    To integrate proven techniques from physics education research into the class room in a way that accommodates a range of teaching and learning styles.
•    To help students develop both quantitative reasoning skills and solid conceptual understanding, with special focus on concepts well documented to cause learning difficulties.
•    To help students develop problem-solving skills and confidence in a systematic manner using explicit and consistent tactics and strategies.
•    To motivate students by integrating real-world examples relevant to their majors especially from biology, sports, medicine, the animal world-and that build upon their everyday experiences.
•    To utilize proven techniques of visual instruction and design from educational research and cognitive psychology that improve student learning and retention and address a range of learner styles.

A more complete explanation of these goals and the rationale behind them can be found in Randy Knight’s paperback book, Five Easy Lessons: Strategies for Success­ful Physics Teaching. Please request a copy from your local Pearson sales representa­tive if it would be of interest to you (ISBN 978-0-805-38702-5).