Introducing Physics workTEXT

Are you considering alternative resources for your physics courses? Do you need to supplement textbooks now in use with additional materials? Does your course content of necessity follow the content of the textbook being used? Are you looking for a Physics text written in Canada, which illustrates a Canadian point of view and employs SI units? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, Physics workTEXT may be the resource you are looking for. We have been supplying resources to schools and colleges across Canada since 1991.

What is workTEXT ?

The Physics workTEXT series is a new concept in the presentation of textual materials in that the text is custom designed to exactly fit the needs of each particular course of study. Topics are chosen from a list of 41 standard modules, plus an additional 22 entry-level modules. Selected modules are placed in a standard, 3-ring binder, and the student is then able to insert additional notes or examples into the appropriate location, so that notes (workbook) and text (textbook) are completely integrated. The materials are also printed in such a way that allows the student to make notes or comments in the modules themselves at appropriate locations. In addition to this, a series of appendices are included that are appropriate to the modules included. The modules and appendices are continually updated to include the most up-to-date information available.

Rather than designing a course to fit the contents of an existing textbook, workTEXT enables you to select the specific topics that you want, and allows the flexibility of adding to and customizing the material. The text is designed to fit the course rather than the course designed to fit the text. The student will have a package of material that contains only that material which will be covered by the instructor, greatly enhancing the usefulness of the package to the student in organization and review.

Level of Material

Standard modules present material typically suited for a first-year, college-level, non-calculus based physics course. These modules are particularly suited for applied physics as required in engineering technology or power engineering programs. The entry-level modules are written at a high-school level, and would be suitable for high school, academic upgrading, or pre-technology type courses.

Features of WorkTEXT Modules

• WorkTEXT is a highly organized modular approach to a Physics textbook. Each of the modules covers a specific topic commonly covered in Physics. Each module is a concise, complete unit of study.
  
• Because of the selective topical approach, each topic is typically covered more completely than space would allow in a traditional textbook, so that additional materials are rarely required. The student, however, has only those materials that are relevant, so that the total amount of material remains manageable.
  
• Topics not relevant to the course being taught are always part of a traditional textbook. This necessitates skipping around, deleting some sections; using only parts of others. This is kept to a minimum when using WorkTEXT modules.
  
• Peripheral (albeit interesting) information is interjected throughout a traditional textbook and interrupts the progressive flow of learning from concept building to application and integration. WorkTEXT modules present each segment of theory in conjunction with applicable exercises that build in a logical manner from simple to more complex. Each concept builds logically and efficiently upon the previous, and subsequent exercises integrate the previous concepts as required. Every section of text, note, diagram, example or exercise is important to the development of the concept at hand. Reference to peripheral material is included at the end of each module in the form of research topics so that there is no interference with the flow of learning.
  
• Each module ends with a section of comprehensive summary, and review questions that incorporate all the concepts presented in the module and their combined application. For the motivated student, two additional sections contain Challenge Problems and Research Projects.
  
• WorkTEXT modules begin with specific objective statements, and end with a summary of key words, main concepts, and overall review exercises. These features enable the student to test themselves on their comprehension of the material.
  
• WorkTEXT may be used as a self-study course. Answers for all the in-module exercises are included in the module. Answers to review and challenge problems are available upon request and/or supplied to the instructor. The role of the instructor in these situations is to set an agenda for course completion, stimulate interest and discussion, provide labs and demonstrations, and to test for comprehension.
  
• WorkTEXT modules are entirely useful. The student pays only for needed materials. Because of the format of presentation, the cost to the student will typically be considerably less than when using a traditional, hardcover book.

To view the various topics available, please use one of the links at the top of this page.