Resources for physics teachers

Internet discussion groups for physics teachers:

• PHYSHARE@PSUVM.PSU.EDU -- Mostly high school teachers, many college physics teachers. Topics include methods used, cool demos, requests for help with physics questions.

• PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU -- Mostly college or university teachers, some high school teachers. Topics include demos, arguments over fine points of physics, discussions of philosophy, how to present different topics.

• PHYSLRNR@idbsu.idbsu.edu -- Physics Education Researchers. Mostly university folk in physics or science education departments. Topics include research on teaching methods in physics, using research on teaching in modifying curiculum, teacher ed. courses, etc.

• tap-l@listserv.appstate.edu -- Teachers and technicians talking about physics demonstrations and lab techniques.

Instructions for subscribing to these listservers from the IUS campus:

• Create an outgoing email adressed to:
  • LISTSERV@LISTS.NAU.EDU for PHYS-L
  • LISTSERV@idbsu.idbsu.edu for PHYSLRNR
  • LISTSERV@PSUVM.PSU.EDU for PHYSHARE
  • LISTSERV@listserv.appstate.edu for TAP-L
• Leave the subject line of the message blank and in the body of the message enter ONE line that follows this format: SUBSCRIBE {List name} {Your real name [NOT your email address]}
• For example: SUBSCRIBE PHYS-L Jane Doe will subscribe Jane Doe to the PHYS-L listserver.
• Then just send the message. You do NOT need to include your email address (the LISTSERV will look at the senders address and know who it is from.) Most of these LISTSERVs are automated and handled almost completely by machines, therefore, do NOT send any additional information which may cause your request to be ignored or miss-handled.

You will usually receive a confirmation from the LISTSERV saying that you have been added to the list. It will also have instructions about unsubscribing and other options you can use. (I belive you follow the same format using UNSUBSCRIBE instead of SUBSCRIBE to get off a list.)

To send messages to the list (PHYS-L in this example) you address it to PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU (NOT LISTSERVE, which is only for subscribing). When "PHYS-L@LISTS.NAU.EDU" receives it, it will mail a copy to everyone on the list so they can see it. (Unless there is a moderator who edits your message for some reason.) NOTE: Using the Return comand will send your message to the entire list!

You should start receiving email from the list in a day or two (perhaps sooner, perhaps later.) Note that some listservs only generate 5 or 6 messages a month and others generate 100 or more a day. Generally the moderated lists have less traffic on them and are of a higher quality. The list moderator screens out duplicates and other "junk" before passing things on. Also, moderated lists may only be mailed out once a week or once a month or on what ever schedule the moderator keeps.

The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Physics Education News (PEN)

To subscribe, send an e-mail message to: "listserv@aip.org". Leave the "Subject" line blank. In the body of the message, enter the following command: "add pen".

PEN archives on the World Wide Web.

American Institute of Physics Education Division Editor: Mr. Tracy Schwab tschwab@aip.org, 301-209-3008