Work in Progress - An Assessment of Inquiry-Based Activities in a Second Semester Introductory Physics Laboratory

We have developed a set of inquiry-based student activities which are appropriate for a second semester general physics laboratory. The hands-on, active learning laboratory experiments utilize simple, inexpensive equipment to facilitate student learning of various direct current circuit concepts. Activities are based on the results of previously published physics education research. This paper reports on the results of an assessment that has been given to a group of student that possess a wide range of abilities and backgrounds. Students were concurrently enrolled in either a calculus or algebra based lecture course. The ongoing assessment process utilizes the Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric Circuit Concepts Test (DIRECT). We present the results of the assessment and relate these results to the inquiry-based instructional methods