Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Upper-Level Physics

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gerald Rothberg, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

participants in theprocess, not passive listeners.”3 In this paper I describe a project to significantly improve student learning in my one semestersophomore course in modern physics for engineers by introducing technologies to enhance activelearning. None of the technologies is new; I only am describing my own experiences with aparticular combination, a classroom response system in conjunction with a tablet computer, acombination which is also not new. The Physics Education Research Group, University ofMassachusetts, web site provides many links to information about the technologies used here asdeveloped by themselves and a number of universities and companies4-6. Another excellentsource, emphasizing their own product, Classroom Presenter, is the

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Introductory Physics

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gary Turner, Morningside College

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

as the Biot-Savart Law, and energy considerations of expanding systems.AssessmentA detailed comparison of student achievement old-to-new is unavailable because of the low-enrollment problem that first generated this project. A meaningful assessment of how wellstudents have truly mastered the coursework is best assessed in the upper-level courses that buildon the material. However, going though upper level courses now, we have only 1 student fromthe old system and 3 from the new system, insufficient for a meaningful study. However, otherfactors suggest that the program is, at a minimum, not hurting students.We have also seen an increase in interest from mathematics majors in taking upper levelcoursework in sciences and applied sciences for

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Upper-Level Physics

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Greg Mowry, University of St. Thomas-St. Paul

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

showsthat the metrology-based modular approach of teaching undergraduate E&M is achieving theintended goals. The triply redundant flow/flux coverage of the vector-calculus module, theANSYS® modeling module and the Matlab® field visualization GUIs are very popular with thestudents. These modules have succeeded in helping the students visualize and analyze real fieldsin practical applications as well as providing the graduates with industry recognized E&M skills.The main detractors of the modular approach are the costs and space associated with establishingan E&M laboratory. Hence support, via CCLI grant or corporate donations, is necessary forfunding the complete E&M laboratory. The projected cost for implementing the