🚀 go-pugleaf

I would like to pose a question regarding the teaching of general
physics using the text conceptual Physics to the members of the list.
I am just finishing my second year having been saddled with the text
and realized that I used it even less than last year. I hate wearing
the top hat in performing the multitude of demonstrations. I tried at
first and realized several  things: 1) it was taking me tons of time to get
the equipment together and the sequence 2) the kids were wanting me to
top yesterdays and3) I hated the performance aspect 4) it goes counter
to ideas that I've been thinking regarding student centred, activity
based.....5) general level students in high school give one word
answers to text questions and want to talk about black holes .

I have been trying to teach the course out of my notes for two years.
Talk about teacher centred. Labs have been horror show. I patrol to
make sure the punching doesn't get carried away or the equipment
doesn't get overly abused. I'm stuck with the book but I can do
pretty much anything I want. I want to get students taking
responsibility for their own learning. I want to develop problem
solving skills. I want to use technology in a way that students can
really collect and truly process data.I feel not so good about my
success in this regard.

Perhaps I'm being a little over dramatic here - it being year's end
and all but the key point rings the same.  Is it just that I'm using
 the book incorrectly?I think I'm missing something here
      Can anyone help me out??

Eric MacDonald
Hong Kong International School