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Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format. Overview of current introductory physics labs at Pitt Course Transformation Award – Plans Initial Results from Fall Semester 2016 Long Term Plans. Three Introductory Physics Lab Courses.

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Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

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  1. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format • Overview of current introductory physics labs at Pitt • Course Transformation Award – Plans • Initial Results from Fall Semester 2016 • Long Term Plans Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  2. Three Introductory Physics Lab Courses • PHYS 0212 – Introduction to Laboratory Physics • 2 Credit hours • Algebra based • Co-requisite PHYS 0111 Introduction to Physics 2 • PHYS 0219 – Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering • 2 Credit hours • Calculus based • Co-requisite PHYS 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 2 • PHYS 0520 – UHC Modern Physics Measurements • 3 Credit hours • Calculus based • Pre-requisite PHYS 0175 or 0476 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 2 Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  3. The Structure of PHYS 0219 PHYS 0219 meets twice each week: 50 Minute Recitation – All of the students meet for a lecture on the basic theory and how the theory will be tested. 3 Hour Lab – The students work in groups of 2 or 3 to complete the experiments. The lab sessions have a maximum of 24 students and are run by a TA. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  4. Course Transformation Award - Plan Rather than reinventing the wheel, we will implement a curriculum developed by: David Sokoloff (University of Oregon) Ronald Thornton (Tufts University) Priscilla Laws (Dickinson College) RealTime Physics Active Learning Laboratories Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  5. New Schedule for PHYS 0219 • Due to university holidays, the labs only meet for 13 weeks during the fall and spring semesters. • Week 1 – Acceleration in one dimension • Week 2 – Simple harmonic motion • Week 3 – Equilibrium of a rotating fluid • Week 4 – Velocity of sound and harmonics • Week 5 – Module 3-4 Batteries, Bulbs and Current • Week 6 – Module 3-5 Current in Simple DC Circuits • Week 7 – Module 3-6 Voltage in Simple DC Circuits and Ohm’s Law • Week 8 – Module 3-8 Introduction to Capacitors and RC Circuits • Week 9 – Module 3-9 Magnetism • Week 10 – Module 3-10 Electromagnetism • Week 11 – Geometrical optics • Week 12 – Physical optics (diffraction) • Week 13 – Makeup labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  6. Course Transformation Award - Plan • The students will complete a survey after the first set of traditional labs. • A professor will observe both the traditional and inquiry based labs. • They will complete the same survey after the six inquiry based labs. • The TAs will keep track of the time that they spend grading both traditional and inquiry based labs. • There will be a focus group with the lab students each semester to discuss both formats. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  7. Survey Question 2 The experiments in this lab have reinforced the concepts that I have learned in my introductory physics lecture courses (PHYS 0174 and 0175). After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  8. Survey Question 3 I should easily be able to earn an A or B in this course. After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  9. Survey Question 4 The instructions in the lab manual are vague and difficult to follow. After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  10. Survey Question 5 I find that working with a partner is very helpful in completing the lab experiments. After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  11. Survey Question 6 My lab partner and I often have the opportunity to improvise our own way of testing the theory. After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  12. Survey Question 7 My lab partner and I require a lot of assistance from the TA in order to complete the lab experiments. After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  13. Survey Question 8 My lab partner and I often interact with other groups in the lab to come up with strategies to complete the experiments. After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  14. Survey Question 9 The equipment in the lab is always in good working order. After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  15. Survey Question 10 The equipment in the lab is complicated and very difficult to use. After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  16. Survey Question 11 The lab reports/worksheets for the experiments are clear and easy to complete. After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  17. Survey Question 12 Too much emphasis is placed on having the “correct” data. After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  18. Lab Observations The observer will be looking for following things: • The number of times that a student or a group requests help from the TA. • The number of times that the TA spots a student or a group that is having difficulty and offers help. • The number of times that a student or a group appears confused about the procedure. • The number of times that a student or a group appears confused about the equipment. • The number of times that a student or a group tries an experiment that is not in the procedure. • The time for each group to complete the whole set of experiments. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  19. Lab Observations The number of times that a student or a group requested help from the TA, or the TA spotted a student or a group that was having difficulty and offered to help. 321 Traditional Labs (2.5/student) 244 Inquiry Based Labs (2.0/student) (22) (20) (21) Velocity of Sound 70 Geometrical Optics 66 (22) Batteries, Bulbs, Current 65 Acceleration in One Dimension 60 (21) (22) Capacitors and RC Circuits 54 (22) Rotating Fluid 51 47 Oscillatory Motion (21) (21) Voltage and Ohm’s Law 38 Magnetism 37 (20) (20) (20) 27 Physical Optics Electro- magnetism 26 DC Circuits 24 Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  20. Lab Observations The number of times that a student or a group requested help from the TA, or the TA spotted a student or a group that was having difficulty and offered to help. (21) Acceleration in One Dimension 68 (22) Acceleration in One Dimension 60 Spring 2017 Fall 2016 Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  21. Lab Observations – Spring 2017 The number of times that a student or a group requested help from the TA, or the TA spotted a student or a group that was having difficulty and offered to help. (2) Group 3 13 Acceleration in One Dimension Average of 6.8 interactions per group 7 (3) 8 Group 9 (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) Group 1 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 Group 8 7 7 7 7 7 (2) Group 12 5 (2) Group 2 (2) 4 Group 11 3 (0) (0) Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  22. Lab Observations Average number of minutes to complete the lab. 180 min. Rotating Fluid 172 137 min. Traditional Labs 115 min. Inquiry Based Labs Batteries, Bulbs, Current 155 Velocity of Sound 152 148 Geometrical Optics Oscillatory Motion 131 Capacitors and RC Circuits 129 Acceleration in One Dimension 127 DC Circuits 116 Voltage and Ohm’s Law 105 Electro- magnetism 97 93 Physical Optics Magnetism 85 Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  23. Lab Observations 63 min. Traditional Labs 36 min. Inquiry Based Labs Time spread in minutes to complete the lab. 180 min. Rotating Fluid Oscillatory Motion Acceleration in One Dimension Geometrical Optics Velocity of Sound Batteries, Bulbs, Current Capacitors and RC Circuits DC Circuits Voltage and Ohm’s Law Physical Optics Electro- magnetism Magnetism Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  24. Lab Observations Time spread in minutes to complete the lab. 180 min. Acceleration in One Dimension Acceleration in One Dimension Spring 2017 127 minutes Fall 2016 127 minutes Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  25. TA Grading - Results • Traditional labs ~ 2 hours/week • Lab reports graded by computer • Lab resets • Data verification • Participation grade • Inquiry based labs ~ 4 hours/week • Lab reports graded by TA • Includes pre-lab and homework • Rubric was provided Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  26. Focus Group • The students will be asked to participate, voluntarily, in a focus group after the completion of the inquiry based labs. • The format will be open ended, but it will start with a discussion of what they found effective or ineffective in both the traditional and inquiry based labs. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  27. Focus Group - Results • No one showed up. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  28. Course Transformation Award Long Term Plans • PHYS 0212 – Laboratory Physics 1 • 1 Credit hour • Algebra and calculus based • Co-requisite PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0174 • PHYS 0219 – Laboratory Physics 2 • 1 Credit hour • Algebra and calculus based • Co-requisite PHYS 0111 or PHYS 0175 • Both courses will be inquiry based using the RealTime Physics manuals • The Course Transformation Award would then be a seed grant for an external agency such as NSF. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

  29. Conclusion • Overview of current introductory physics labs at Pitt • Course Transformation Award - Plans • Course Transformation Award – Initial results • Long term plans We would like to thank the dB-SERC for their support on this project! Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

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