Physics 620 Next Assignment

Physics 620: Teaching University Physics
December 9 Return to Shaping the Future. Pick two recommendations from SME&T Departments or SME&T Faculty. Make a short list of the research and development that we have studied this semester that is directly related to that recommendation. Describe is one or two sentences what the relation is. Send the result to me by e-mail by 4:00 PM Tuesday.

December 14

In the final journal which you will submit by next Monday, I would like you to address the following questions: Suppose that I am teaching the course again and I will keep only one of the topics that we studied this semester. Which one topic would you recommend that I keep? Why? (You may define topic as narrowly or broadly as you wish).

Suppose that I decide to keep almost all topics and to drop only one topic from the present semester. Which one would you recommend that I drop? Why?

What recommendations do you have for changing the course? You may include subject matter, teaching methods, scheduling, assignments, teacher, etc. In responding o this question, do not just state that I should change X. Give me some suggestions on how to change it.

What would you recommend stay the same as this semester?

Final Project (Due December 16 at 7:00 p.m.)

The final project is your opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned and the quality of your understanding. Thus, it should include information from all aspects of the course as well as the literature in physics education. For a final project you have two choices:

Analysis of teaching materials (individual)

Select teaching materials which would require at least two weeks of instruction in a college level physics class. Work through the materials and analyze them in terms of all of the topics discussed during the semester. Graduate students in the physics education research group may not analyze Visual Quantum Mechanics materials; other students are encouraged to use Visual Quantum Mechanics as the subject of their analysis.

Small research project (collaborative)

Design and complete a small resarch project related to learning and teaching of physics at the undergraduate level. The project needs to address issue which are discussed during class and must follow proper research techniques. Most projects are likely to involve interactions with students. Thus, you will need to start early. Proposals for research projects must be discussed with Dr. Zollman no later than October 16.

Remember that article reviews are due every Friday and journals every Monday. The last journal assignment is due on Monday, December 14; the last article review, on December 11.

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