Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Warren Turner, Westfield State College; Glenn Ellis, Smith College

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

of uniformly accelerated motion see Table 1.Research has shown that experts differ from novices in how they solve physics problems. Forexample, experts tend to think more in terms of the big picture and they see equations in groups.Novices tend to focus more on the algebraic manipulation of equations6,7. No matter what theclassroom setting, this research has important implications for educators. In the study ofkinematics, it indicates the need to help students develop a more holistic understanding of motionequations that facilitates broad application. Part of a learning pathway to develop thisunderstanding is to help students formulate and explore key questions related to uniformlyaccelerated motion. For example: “How many quantities are

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anca Sala, Baker College; Raghu Echempati, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

placed on results from teaching and assessment in the Mechanics course. Analysis ofdata obtained over the course of two academic years yielded good insights into student learning,and recommendations to increase teaching effectiveness.1. IntroductionIn this paper we are looking at direct assessment of achievement of Student Learning Outcomesin the Introductory Physics sequence of courses taught to undergraduate Mechanical Engineeringstudents at first author’s institution. The structures of the academic year and of the Physicssequence are described in a previous paper1. The sequence consists of three courses: GeneralPhysics I covering Mechanics, General Physics II covering Electricity and Magnetism, andGeneral Physics III covering Oscillations

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Ross, University of Detroit, Mercy; Eswara Venugopal, University of Detroit, Mercy; Daniel Maggio, University of Detroit, Mercy; Meghann Mouyianis, University of Detroit, Mercy

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

curriculum and activities have been described previously. 6Survey ResultsStudents participating in the Summer 2008 UNITE program were asked to complete pre- andpost surveys regarding their attitudes toward the program. They were asked to respond to 21statements and their responses were rated on a five-point Likert scale (Strongly Agree = 5 toStrongly Disagree = 1). Table 1 shows a summary of the eight questions that were related to the Page 14.247.3physics course and their attitudes towards math, science and engineering as a result ofcompleting the program. Questions regarding the broader program are not reproduced below.There were a total of 44

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Teresa Larkin, American University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

, particularly in science classes have clearly been shown to put studentsin a role of passive rather than active learning [1]. Traditional instructional methods have alsobeen shown to be very inadequate in terms of promoting deep learning and long-term retentionof important concepts. Students in traditional classrooms acquire most of their “knowledge”through classroom lectures and textbook reading. A troubling fact is, after instruction, studentsoften emerge from our classes with serious misconceptions [2 - 6]. Research on theconstructivist approach to learning (i.e. the learner must construct their knowledge) reveals thatwhen students are actively engaged with the material, learning is clearly enhanced [7]. Theactive process of writing within a science

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer Franck, California Institute of Technology; Ted Yu, California Institute of Technology; Juan Pedro Ochoa-Ricoux, California Institute of Technology; James Maloney, California Institute of Technology; Angela Capece, California Institute of Technology; Luz Rivas, California Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

engineering. For high-achieving students who have already shown aptitude inmathematics and science a university outreach program can challenge them beyond thetraditional classroom environment, providing first-hand exposure to research scientists andengineers as well as an introduction to the university science and engineering culture. The YoungEngineering and Science Scholars (YESS) program 1 is for college-bound high school juniorsand seniors of underrepresented minority groups who have strong academic credentials and aninclination towards science and engineering disciplines. The goals of the program are to nurturetheir interests in science and engineering through challenging academic courses, faculty lectures,and tours of the Caltech campus and

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reagan Curtis, West Virginia University; Braxton Lewis, West Virginia University; Wathiq Abdul-Razzaq, West Virginia University; Gary Winn, West Virginia University; Robin Hensel, West Virginia University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

ofintroducing students to the pedagogical approach behind the intervention course. Page 14.1103.3Figure 1: Development of Mental Model Approach Utilized to Recruit for Intervention Group Predictions Expected 1st Hand Development of a Mental Outcome Interpretation Model Reinforce Correct Expectation Incorrect

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Probst, Southeast Missouri State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

learning force concepts,especially concepts related to Newton’s 3rd Law. It also suggests that the first and third laws aremore easily understood conceptually than the second law.I. IntroductionPersonal Response Systems (clickers) have been shown to improve learning in various classroomsettings when effectively used.1 I implemented the use of clickers in my conceptual physicscourse because I already used various methods to encourage student engagement in myclassroom,2 and this seemed like a good method as well. After incorporating clickers into myinstruction and using them for two semesters, I began to wonder whether or not they were havinga positive effect on learning in my conceptual physics classroom. They were certainlyfacilitating students

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adrian Ieta, State University of New York, Oswego; Rachid Manseur, State University of New York, Oswego; Thomas Doyle, McMaster University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

, whichallowed all students to identify and reflect on physics ideas and their applications. Thesuccessful aspects together with possible improvements of the teaching procedures arereported.1. IntroductionThe use of Blackboard system [1] is widespread now and is recommended over regularcourse websites [2], as it is significantly more versatile for course management andinteraction with students. The system is most effective for distance courses [3] as onlinecourses [4] can be delivered in a consistent meaningful manner even if recent works showthat there are some challenges associated with distance learning [5]. The system has greatbuilt in flexibility and allows instructors to use their imagination in designing the course[6], interacting with students

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Baha Jassemnejad, University of Central Oklahoma; Tim A Handy, University of Central Oklahoma; Scott L Murphy, University of Central Oklahoma; Evan C Lemley, University of Central Oklahoma

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

. Brewster, C.; Fager, J., “Student Mentoring,” Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory’sInformation Services pp 1-53, 1998.2. Matthew, S.; Jace A,; Donlad H.; Terri F., “Work in Progress -Implementing a Freshman Mentor thProgram,” Frontiers in Education Conference, 38 Annual pp. F2H-1/F2H-2, 2008.3. Matthew, S.; Donald, H.; Terri, F.; “Work in Progress – Improving Self-Efficacy with a Freshman thMentor Program,” Frontiers in Education Conference, 38 Annual pp. F3D-5/F3D-6, 2008.4. Sash, R.; Detloff, H.; Chen, B.; Grandgenett, N.; Duran,, D., “Work in Progress – Retention of

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radian Belu, Drexel University; Alexandru Belu, Case Western Reserve University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

Mathematica can be used, by instructors and by students, to helpstudents make these connections and to use them once they are made. Benefits that accrue to upper-classstudents able to make effective use of a computer algebra systems provide a further rationale forintroducing student use of these systems into our courses for those who plan to major in physics or othertechnical fields.1. IntroductionPhysics is guided by simple principles, but for many topics the physics tends to be obscured in theprofusion of mathematics. As interactive software for computer algebra, such as Maple, MathCAD,Mathematica or MATLAB can assist educators and students to overcome the obstacle of mathematicaldifficulties or to improve the lecture presentations via power