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Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design
written by Sam B. McKagan, Katherine Perkins, and Carl E. Wieman
We have reformed a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors by radically changing both the content and the learning techniques implemented in lecture and homework. Traditionally this course has been taught in a manner similar to the equivalent course for physics majors, focusing on mathematical solutions of abstract problems. Based on interviews with physics and engineering professors, we developed a syllabus and learning goals focused on content that was more useful to our actual student population: engineering majors. The content of this course emphasized reasoning development, model building, and connections to real world applications. In addition we implemented a variety of PER-based learning techniques, including peer instruction, collaborative homework sessions, and interactive simulations. We have assessed the effectiveness of reforms in this course using pre/post surveys on both content and beliefs. We have found significant improvements in both content knowledge and beliefs compared with the same course before implementing these reforms and a corresponding course for physics majors.
Physics Education Research Conference 2006
Part of the PER Conference Invited Paper series
Syracuse, New York: July 26-27, 2006
Volume 883, Pages 34-37
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education - Applied Research
- Curriculum Development
= Course
- Pedagogy
= Instructional Issues
Education - Basic Research
- Assessment
- Lower Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
PER-Central Type Intended Users Ratings
- PER Literature
- Researchers
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Formats:
application/pdf
non-digital
Mirror:
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2508685
Access Rights:
Available for purchase
Restriction:
© 2006 American Institute of Physics
DOI:
10.1063/1.2508685
PACSs:
01.40.Fk
01.40.Ha
Keywords:
PER-based pedagogy, PERC 2006, cognition, course development, learning theory, modern physics, reform assessment, teaching methods
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created June 4, 2007 by Shawn Weatherford
Record Updated:
July 16, 2013 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
January 30, 2007
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
S. McKagan, K. Perkins, and C. Wieman, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York, 2006, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5247&DocID=1779).
AJP/PRST-PER
S. McKagan, K. Perkins, and C. Wieman, Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York, 2006, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5247&DocID=1779>.
APA Format
McKagan, S., Perkins, K., & Wieman, C. (2006, July 26-27). Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York. Retrieved December 5, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5247&DocID=1779
Chicago Format
McKagan, S, K. Perkins, and C. Wieman. "Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York, July 26-27, 2006. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5247&DocID=1779 (accessed 5 December 2024).
MLA Format
McKagan, Sam, Katherine Perkins, and Carl Wieman. "Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design." Physics Education Research Conference 2006. Syracuse, New York: 2006. 34-37 Vol. 883 of PER Conference Invited Paper. 5 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5247&DocID=1779>.
BibTeX Export Format
@inproceedings{ Author = "Sam McKagan and Katherine Perkins and Carl Wieman", Title = {Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design}, BookTitle = {Physics Education Research Conference 2006}, Pages = {34-37}, Address = {Syracuse, New York}, Series = {PER Conference Invited Paper}, Volume = {883}, Month = {July 26-27}, Year = {2006} }
Refer Export Format

%A Sam McKagan %A Katherine Perkins %A Carl Wieman %T Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design %S PER Conference Invited Paper %V 883 %D July 26-27 2006 %P 34-37 %C Syracuse, New York %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5247&DocID=1779 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2006 %O July 26-27 %O application/pdf

EndNote Export Format

%0 Conference Proceedings %A McKagan, Sam %A Perkins, Katherine %A Wieman, Carl %D July 26-27 2006 %T Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design %B Physics Education Research Conference 2006 %C Syracuse, New York %V 883 %P 34-37 %S PER Conference Invited Paper %8 July 26-27 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=5247&DocID=1779


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Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design:


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