Research in Physics Education

Overview

We are engaged in a number of nationally recognized projects in curriculum development/physics education research.

Paradigms in Physics

Corinne Manogue
corinne@physics.oregonstate.edu     (541) 737-1695    WNGR 493

Tevian Dray
tevian@math.oregonstate.edu     (541) 737-5159    KIDDER 298A

Barbara Edwards
edwards@math.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-5179    KIDDER 363

David H. McIntyre
mcintyre@ucs.orst.edu    (541) 737-1696   WNGR 463

Emily van Zee
Emily.vanZee@science.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-1880    WNGR 267

Liz Gire
giree@physics.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-6080    WNGR 491

The Paradigms in Physics Program at Oregon State University is a restructuring of the traditional upper-division curriculum to be more modern, more flexible, and more inclusive. The focus of our current NSF-grant is to design materials to support faculty teaching more traditional courses who may wish to experiment with one or more pieces of our successful curriculum, be it a single activity or an entire course. Four main strands have been identified:

1. New content: The PIs are developing two new textbooks: one for quantum mechanics and one for vector calculus that emphasize their innovative approach to these topics, while encouraging, but not requiring, the use of active engagement.
2. Case studies: The PIs are designing a new website to provide the information necessary for successful adoption of one or more of their activities, showing how to combine lectures and active engagement in a coherent way.
3. Community of scholars: The PIs will host a small number of visitors who will be immersed in, and contribute to, the entire Paradigms package.
4. Education Research: The PIs are doing research into students’ ability to reason harmonically and metacognitively, and into how these capabilities are affected by Paradigms curricular materials.

Computational Physics for UnderGraduates (CPUG)

Rubin H. Landau
rubin@physics.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-1693    WNGR 499

Please see the CPUG website: http://www.physics.oregonstate.edu/CPUG

Instructional Materials and Techniques

Ken Krane's physics education research ranges from materials and curriculum development for undergraduate teaching to the structure of academic physics departments. He has been involved in studying how students understand energy and momentum conservation in introductory physics and how they interpret their first exposure to probabilistic concepts in modern physics. Based on the latter research, he is developing instructional materials that support interactive teaching methods in courses covering modern physics. He has been involved in the SPIN-UP study of the characteristics of successful physics departments, and for 10 years he directed the New Faculty Workshop that provides mentoring to recent hires in physics and astronomy. He is the author of three textbooks: Modern Physics (2nd edition, 1996), Physics, with David Halliday and Robert Resnick (5th edition, 2002), and Introductory Nuclear Physics (1988).

Engaging People in Cyberinfrastructure (EPIC)

Rubin H. Landau
rubin@physics.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-1693    WNGR 499

As part of the EPIC project, Rubin Landau and Sally Haerer are producing videos for the National Digital Library of Science. A sample is available.

Computational Physics Textbooks

Rubin H. Landau
rubin@physics.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-1693    WNGR 499

Rubin Landau has written several textbooks on Computational Physics and Advanced Quantum Mechanics. Please see his website for further information.

The Vector Calculus Bridge Project

Tevian Dray
tevian@math.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-5159    KIDDER 298A

Corinne Manogue
corinne@physics.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-1695    WNGR 493

There is a "vector calculus gap" between the way vector calculus is usually taught by mathematicians and the way it is used by other scientists. This material is essential for physicists and some engineers due to its central role in the description of electricity and magnetism. The goals of this long-term project to understand this gap and to develop curricular materials to help bridge it from both the mathematics and physics sides. For more information, see the Vector Calculus Bridge Project Homepage

Lower-division Course Reform

Dedra Demaree
demareed@physics.oregonstate.edu    (541) 737-1713    WNGR 373

The Physics Department is embarking on a new project to reform the teaching of our lower-division, large-enrollment courses. We will be using a team approach involving faculty, instructors, and teaching assistants. We have begun the process by hiring a new, tenure-track faculty member, with expertise in Physics Education Research and current best practices in teaching.  Welcome Dedra!  Check back for more information soon!