Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Phy

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adrian Ieta, Murray State University; Arthur Pallone

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

] Kang, N. H. and C. S. Wallace, “Secondary science teachers' use of laboratory activities: Linking epistemological beliefs, goals, and practices,” Science Education, 89.1 (Jan. 2005): 140-165.[7] Liu, N. F. and D. Carless, “Peer feedback: the learning element of peer assessment,” Teaching in Higher Education, 11.3 (July 2006): 279-290.[8] Macias-Guarasa, J., J. M. Montero, R. San-Segundo et al., “A Project-Based Learning Approach to Design Electronic Systems Curricula,” IEEE Transactions on Education, 49.3 (August 2006): 389-397.[9] McDowell, L., “The impact of innovative assessment on student learning,” Innovations in Education and Training International, 32 (1995): 302.[10] Papinczak, T., L. Young and M. Groves, “Peer

Conference Session

Technology in the Physics or Engineering Physics C

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nataliia Perova, Tufts University; Patricia Hogan, Suffolk University; Walter H. Johnson, Suffolk University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

thing at a time. Design challenges help studentsdevelop skills in planning, construction, and testing”. As research indicates, the practice ofdesign projects generated engagement and excitement among students which is not alwayspresent in science classrooms. Several research initiatives showed the positive impact of designbased learning on student’s enthusiasm about the science content. 15, 9, 24Based on the research about learning science concepts through engineering design approaches,we think that engaging students in engineering projects that present them with real life problemsshould provide students with a rich learning environment for application of textbook scienceknowledge.MethodsTo determine how the work on this wireless sensor

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Phy

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Teresa Larkin, American University; Dan Budny, University of Pittsburgh

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

second semester of their freshman year. The course Page 13.1112.4meets twice a week for 2 hours in a state-of-the-art computer classroom. ENGR0012 covers thecomputer programming portion of the integrated curriculum package which is now standard forall incoming freshman engineers at the University of Pittsburgh. ENGR0012 has four maincurricular goals: 1. teaching students to program a computer using a general-purpose programming language; 2. teaching students to design programs using a "top-down" approach; 3. promoting and encouraging good programming practices; and 4. illustrating the role computer programming plays in solving real