Physics Special Colloquium, May 13, 2005

Improving Student Understanding of Physics Through Research

Chandralekha Singh

University of Pittsburgh

Despite our best and most sincere efforts, there is an alarming disconnect between what we teach and what students learn and understand. The goal of physics education research is to help close this gap. I will discuss, using my own research and activities as examples, the three major components of physics education research: (1) Identification of student difficulties, (2) curriculum/pedagogy development to reduce these difficulties, and (3) implementation/evaluation of new pedagogies and teaching methods. My research has focused on student understanding of basic (energy/momentum, rotational and rolling motion, Gauss' law) and advanced (quantum mechanics) physics concepts. I am developing teaching strategies such as introductory and advanced level tutorials and exploration homework problems that actively involve students in the learning process. Most of the strategies require minimal to moderate changes in the instructor's teaching style. I will discuss how I use and refine these teaching methods, and evaluate their effectiveness using a variety of methodologies.

1:30 p.m., Room 1080 Physics Research Building

Reception served at 1:00 p.m. in room 1080, PRB