Chautauqua Short Courses: Using Research-Based Curricula and Tools to Promote 

Active Learning in Introductory Courses

Especially for high school and introductory college-level teachers of physics.

Instructors:          

Priscilla Laws, Dickinson College

         David Sokoloff, University of Oregon

         Ronald Thornton, Tufts University 

Date and Location TBA

This NSF-sponsored, hands-on course is 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 will be introduced to physics education research-based strategies for each component of the introductory course: Interactive Lecture Demonstration (ILDs), Web-Based ILDs, RealTime Physics labs, Activity Based Tutorials, Collaborative Problem-Solving Tutorials and Workshop Physics, as well as modeling and video analysis. The tools and software are available for Macintosh and Windows computers. Results of 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 strategies for implementing physics education research-based curricula. Topics will be chosen from both semesters of the introductory physics course.

There is a small application fee, and a small course fee. Participants are responsible for their transportation, lodging and meals.  Reasonably-priced accommodations will be arranged.      

For more information contact David Sokoloff, Department of Physics, 1274 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1274, E-mail: sokoloff@uoregon.edu, Phone: (541) 346-4755, Fax:  (541) 346-5861.