Physics Explanations and Relevance

I have used the textbook for reviewing physics content.  In the fall spring of 2015, I allowed students an option of doing small at home labs/demos, video themselves doing the activity and explaining the physics behind it.  I found that the students who did these activities liked them and demonstated a deeper understanding of the material. In the fall of 2016, I decided to expand this idea and make the assignment a larger requirement of the overal grade. I also provided more opportunities to do these type of small projects.  I gave  students the option of choosing the activities, an online component, or book work. I wanted to give them a variety of choices.  I thought students would choose a small video activites over the 15+problems from the book.   Unfortunately, I saw many students would rather do the book work over the video.  My hope this semester is to add in a current events option and less book options. I still want to give some variety but limit the amount of book choices.  Hopefully,  students can find more relevance in everyday applications rather than book work.