Galveston College is modernizing its freshman/sophomore physics laboratory with microcomputers, interface equipment, measurement probes, printers and data acquisition and analysis software. New laboratory instructions are being developed and written to incorporate the microcomputer instrumentation with the current laboratory apparatus. This includes measuring procedures and computer analysis techniques to guide the student to a better understanding of physics principles. The use of a spreadsheet is being emphasized for data analysis in many of the experiments. The spreadsheet serves as a tool for students to select and manipulate collected data, produce graphs and make theoretical comparisons. The computer system expedites data collection, calculations and graphing, providing more time for the student to analyze and comprehend the physics principles involved. The power of the computer system allows for more in-depth analysis and for new types of experiments. Careful consideration is given to the writing of the laboratory instructions so as not to overwhelm the student with the computer operations.
