Introduction

The class material, which I have designed to promote self-study, spaced learning, retrieval practice, and practice testing is mostly text based.  You have to study this material.  As the instructors, I and the lab instructors are your learning facilitators.  We provide you with the learning materials, help you stay on track, and also help you to overcome obstacles.  The course structure is tailored to provide ample individual assistance and feedback.

Physics is not a a collection of formulas that you can remember.  Classical physics consist of a few principles that you have to understand conceptually.  Once you understand them, you can apply them to analyze various situations.  Some concepts can be expressed in terms of mathematical formulas.  But to really understand them, you also have to be able to express them in words.

To become familiar with the course layout and all the course requirements, please start with these steps.

• Read the syllabus for the class.
• Familiarize yourself with the course schedule.
• On Canvas, under Modules, read through the short modules under More Course Information.
• Under Account, on Canvas, set your Canvas your notification preferences so that you receive announcements when they are published.
  This is very important for an online course.  There is no excuse for missing an important announcement. 
• On Canvas, under Syllabus, review the Spring 2026 Physics 221 Lab Syllabus.

Class structure

Spaced learning:

There are 12 modules.  Each module is divided into two parts.

• Carefully study the class material for the sub-module before or on the day shown on the schedule.

Self study: (Read and Think)
You have to study the material linked on the schedule.  This is the material the assignments and tests refer to. 

• Read it slowly.  It is not an extremely large amount of material.  Ask yourself if you understand the concepts and how to apply them.  Study the solved problems.  Could you now solve them without looking at the solutions?  Use the discussion forum to ask questions and help other students.  Explaining something to others is the best way to learn it.  (Read the corresponding chapters in the textbook to review the material. You may prefer the presentation in the textbook.)

Retrieval practice

• A lab is associated with every module.  Complete the lab after you studied the material for this module.  In the lab you apply what you have learned in the module.  You have to recall the important concepts to complete the lab.
• Submit each lab before its due date.  The lab instructors will monitor the discussion forum for lab questions.
  Do not copy lab reports from cheating sites on the web.  All labs have been modified from previous semesters, so that it is easy to spot a copy.  If you submit a lab report with a plagiarized section, you will get zero points for the lab and may be reported for plagiarism.

Practice testing

• A homework assignment associated with each sub-module lets you check your understanding of the material.  Submit all assignments associated with the sub-module before their due date.  Again, use the discussion forum to ask and answer questions.

Leveraging AI for Mastery

• In this course, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is integrated as a foundational study tool.  Physics can be challenging because it requires both abstract mathematical skills and physical intuition.  Modern AI tools, when used correctly, can act as a 24/7 personalized tutor to bridge these gaps.
• How to Use AI in This Course
  • Instead of asking an AI for the "answer" to a quiz question, you should use it to interrogate your own understanding.
  • Ask the AI to walk you through the logic of a concept without giving you the final answer.
  • If a concept feels too abstract, ask the AI to explain it using a real-world scenario relevant to your interests.
  • If you get a numeric answer wrong on a quiz, paste your reasoning into the AI and ask it to find the flaw in your logic.
• Designing Your Own Prompts
  To get the most out of AI, you need to provide context.  A "Good Prompt" defines the AI's role and the specific learning goal.
  Example prompts are embedded in the class material.
• The AI "Honor Code"
  Using AI to bypass thinking is a disservice to your education.  Using AI to deepen your thinking is the hallmark of a modern scientist.  All work submitted must ultimately be your own, and you are responsible for verifying the accuracy of any AI-generated explanation.

After you have completed a module, review the summary slides for this module under "Modules" on Canvas.  They offer some additional problems to test your understanding.  There are also short video summaries for each module under Panopto Video on Canvas.

Note: I strongly recommend submitting earlier than midnight on the due date and not waiting until the last minute.  You can submit all homework assignment multiple times.  Submitting early allows you to ask questions and get feedback if your first answer was incorrect, and it allows you to help other students once you have arrived at the correct answer.
If you need more help, attend the office/tutoring hours of the instructors.  They are offered at various time throughout the week.  You can attend the office/tutoring hours of any instructor.

Summary:

The online material is my contribution to the class.  It covers all topics that may appear on homework assignments and tests.  Space your reading.  After each sub-module ask yourself if you understand the solved problems.  Could you now solve them without looking at the solutions?  Then complete the associated homework assignment to test yourself.  After you have studied the module material, complete the lab.