Dean Zollman
University Distinguished Professor & Head
Address:	118 Cardwell Hall
Phone:	(785) 532-1619
E-mail:	dzollman@phys.ksu.edu
Personal Webpage
Ph.D. University of Maryland, College Park, 1970
M.S. Indiana University, 1965
B.S. Indiana University, 1964

Research Area

Physics Education

We are investigating the transfer of students’ learning as they learn about applying physics to medical imaging. Many diagnostic devices used by physicians have their technological foundation in contemporary physics. To understand techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), students require knowledge of nuclear and quantum physics and must also transfer learning from classical physics or everyday life to these medical applications. Our present research investigates this transfer of learning and its application to understanding both the medical techniques and some classical analogs.

In the Pathway project we are pilot testing and developing sophisticated digital video systems to help teachers who are new to physics teaching make the very large step from having completed a physics course in college to teaching the topic to bright high school students. The system combines state-of-the-art digital video library technology, pedagogical research, and materials contributed by master teachers. This dynamic digital library provides continuously improving assistance and expertise for teachers.

Research Support

• National Science Foundation

Recent Selected Publications

• “Dynamic Transfer: A Perspective from Physics Education Research” (with N. Sanjay Rebello, et al.) in Jose P. Mestre (Ed.) Transfer of Learning from a Modern Multidisciplinary Perspective, Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing Inc., 217-250 (2005).
• “The Effect of Distracters on Student Performance on the Force Concept Inventory” (with N. Sanjay Rebello) American Journal of Physics 72, 116-125 (2004).
• “Students' Models of Newton's Second Law in Mechanics and Electromagnetism,” with Salomon F. Itza-Ortiz and N. Sanjay Rebello) European Journal of Physics 25, 81-89 (January 2004).

full publication list