Physics
activities:
Our main activities are reforms of Physics 3310 (E&M I) and, 3220 (quantum I). During the Spring 2008 and Fall 2008 semesters, these classes were taught by faculty who have extensive experience in using and creating student-centered techniques at the freshman level (such as tutorials and clickers). In that semester, a variety of course reforms were be implemented.
In Fall 2008 the two instructors swapped courses and they were joined by co-instructors. During this semester, the instructors and co-instructors continued to develop and refine course materials. For example, homework and exam problems were developed which require explicit student reasoning and math-physics connections. See the course resource page for more information.
The co-instructors then taught the courses individually during the Spring 2009 semester, and implemented techniques from the course reform at their discretion.
Our core activities related to course transformation of Physics 3310 and Physics 3220 are:
- Creating learning goals to make expectations for student learning explicit.
- Compiling existing teaching and assessment materials (particularly, a spectrum of exam and homework questions and alternate textbooks) to assist faculty in teaching an effective course.
- Creating new teaching and assessment materials, including homework and exam questions, clicker questions, and tutorial-type activities for the junior level.
- Developing a post-course assessment tool to determine whether students are achieving the learning goals, and whether their learning is affected by course reforms.
- Conducting research studies related to the course reforms.
