Peer Review

HyperPhysics

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Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: HyperPhysics is a collection of topical modules covering the major areas of physics. Modules include extensive hyperlinks to facilitate navigation between topics; and hyperlinked graphical concept maps are used to show the overall relationships between topics. Many interactive examples that employ Javascript are also included.
Type of Material:: Text
Recommended Uses:: Reference Material, textbook supplement
Technical Requirements:: Example problems use Javascript.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: This site is intended to serve as reference material for the major topics areas in physics.
Target Student Population:: Primarily lower-division undergraduate. Calculus is employed in some modules. High school students and non-science majors can also benefit from some modules.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Middle school and some high school science.

Rating:
Strengths:: Overall coverage in the site is excellent. The presentations are clear and concise, with extensive use of both text and graphics. The topics are covered in concise fashion and in significant depth in most cases. The exhaustive nature of coverage makes this site into one that will be of lasting value.
Concerns:: Additional external references in each topic module would enhance the site further.

Rating:
Strengths:: The concept maps are an excellent navigation tool. They are very effective illustrations of the overall structure of knowledge in physics. Individual topic modules are heavily cross-linked to related topics. This makes it easy for students to find information on terms and concepts that are unfamiliar to them.

Links to this resource can provide students tips and hints in online readings and homework. It is difficult to think of a better place to browse to quickly brush up on physics topics.
Concerns:: Some topic modules contain somewhat less detail than others. Also, little use is made of simulations in the module. Instructors could supplement the text and graphical information here with simulations from other sources.

Rating:
Strengths:: The layout of this site is very well thought out, and an important strength of this resource. The concept maps and hyperlinks are obvious in function and should present no problems for anyone.
Concerns:: None noted.

Other Issues and Comments:: In spite of the few concerns noted above, overall this site is a wonderful achievemant. Anyone who teaches physics course will find this an invaluable addition to their on-line resources.
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