Independent Workshops

Below is our list of independent workshops utilizing Vernier technology. If you plan on having a workshop featuring Vernier equipment, please let us know and we will advertise it here.

Using Research-Based Curricula and Tools to Promote Active Learning in Introductory Courses
Eugene, OR

Course Descriptions:

Widespread physics education research has shown that a majority of students have difficulty learning essential physics concepts in the best of traditional introductory courses. These Chautauqua courses are designed for those interested in making learning in their introductory course more active either within the traditional course structure of lectures, labs, and recitation hours, or by re-structuring their course (e.g., into a workshop or studio course).

Participants in this hands-on course will be introduced to physics education research-based strategies for each component of the introductory course: Interactive Lecture Demonstration (ILDs) (including Web-Based ILDs and Clicker ILDs (ILDs using a Personal Response System), RealTime Physics labs, Collaborative Problem-Solving Tutorials and Workshop Physics, as well as modeling and video analysis tools. The tools and software used in this workshop are available for Macintosh and Windows computers. Information on how to conduct action research in the classroom, and results from studies on the effectiveness of these curricula will also be presented. Those interested in making major changes in their introductory physics programs are especially encouraged to attend.

Participants will receive current versions of the curricula, along with Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite, a comprehensive book by E.F. Redish (University of Maryland) on Physics Education Research and strategies for implementing PER-based materials.

We will discuss the design of introductory physics courses adapted to the needs of institutional settings ranging from small colleges to large universities. We will also explore effective methods for evaluation of the learning of physics concepts and quantitative reasoning skills. Studies have demonstrated substantial and persistent learning by students who have used the materials presented in this course.

Topics will be chosen from both semesters of the introductory physics course.
Reasonably priced local accommodations will be arranged.

For college teachers of introductory physics and other introductory science and mathematics disciplines. Prerequisites: none.

Dr. Laws is a Research Professor of Physics at Dickinson College where she and her colleagues developed a workshop method for teaching physics without lectures. Students in Workshop Physics courses use several related computer applications including spreadsheets linked dynamically to graphs for modeling, microcomputer interfacing for real-time data collection, and video analysis software. She is also co-author of the new text, Understanding Physics. Dr. Sokoloff is Professor of Physics at the University of Oregon where he integrates classroom testing on research-based curricula with the assessment of conceptual learning in introductory courses with large enrollments. He is the principal author (along with Ronald Thornton and Priscilla Laws) of Real-Time Physics--computer-supported active learning laboratories for use in traditional university settings. He is also co-author (along with Ronald Thornton) of Interactive Lecture Demonstrations (ILDs) which are used to create an active learning environment in lecture classes. He is the winner of the AAPT�s 2007 Millikan Award. Dr. Thornton is director of the Center for Science and Mathematics Teaching of the Physics and Education Departments at Tufts University where he directs the development of software for microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) tools for real-time collection and analysis of data, for modeling and for vector visualization, and curricula designed to be used with these. The center conducts research on student learning in physics. The MBL software has won awards from EDUCOM, Computers in Physics, and the Dana Foundation. He is currently working (with David Sokoloff) on web-based delivery of ILDs, and the development of ILDs in other science disciplines. (RealTime Physics, Interactive Lecture Demonstrations, Workshop Physics, Understanding Physics, Activity Based Tutorials, and Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite are all published by John Wiley and Sons.)

Web Site: http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~sokoloff/physcourse.htm
E-mail: sokoloff@uoregon.edu
Contact: Prof. David R. Sokoloff Department of Physics 1274 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1274 sokoloff@uoregon.edu http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~sokoloff/physcourse.htm office phone: (541) 346-4755 fax: (541) 346-5861