Ken HellerSchool of Physics and Astronomy

University of Minnesota

Designing an Introductory Physics Course As a Learning Environment

Supported in part by NSF, FIPSE and the University of MinnesotaDetails at http://groups.physics.umn.edu/physed

15 year continuing project to improve undergraduate education with contributions by many faculty and graduate students of U of M Physics DepartmentIn collaboration with U of M Physics Education Group - P. Heller, et al.

Setting GoalsWhose and how to ask?Do they make sense in a physics course?At what level can you accomplish them?

ConstraintsStudent Skills & PreconceptionsInstructors’ Skills & PreconceptionsClass size, rooms, funds, time, support

ContentWhat is necessary?

PedagogyTheoretical BackgroundInstructional FrameworkTools

Assess How Well It WorksData & Quality Assurance

Physics for Biology Majors

Decide on GoalsDesign for ConstraintsChoose ContentChoose PedagogyAssess for Goals

Decide on ContentDecide on PedagogyFit into ConstraintsReflect on GoalsAssess for Content

What Is The State of Introductory Physics Course for Biology Majors?

5 lectures/week50 minutes

300 - 400 students

Connected lab2 hours/week

16 students

No recitation sections

More topics than 3 semester calculus based course in 2 semesters

Step 1 (no cost) reduce pace to reasonable rate• Reduce frustrationProblem Solving Lab

Step 2 ($) add discussion sections• Coach Problem SolvingIntegrate content & labChange content focus

Determine Goals

• Questionnaire for Faculty Clients (assistance from F. Lawrenz)

– Open ended responses

– Rating scale for goals

– Forced choices for content

– Forced choice for lab and discussion section structure

• Physics Faculty review of Questionnaire results– Reasonable

– Coherent Physics Course

– Possible

• Use Existing Resources– Structure: Lectures, Laboratories, Discussion Sections

– People: Faculty, Graduate TAs, Undergraduate TAs

Underlying Principles

• To get basics for understanding parts of chemistry, Biochemistry, physiology, other biological disciplines such as cell biology.

• To gain necessary background knowledge about heat, motion, light, & other physical processes to be well-educated scientists.

• The concepts and techniques of Biochemistry rely on understanding physics.

• Physics is basis of the physical interactions which define much of what occurs in biochemistry.

• A number of biological phenomena can't be understood without a feel for the physical principles underlying them.

• So that they will know the principle physical laws that underlie chemistry and biology.

Biology Faculty Free Responses - Goals1. In your opinion, what is the primary reason your department requires students to take this physics course?

Analysis by V. Kuo

• To understand the basic laws of physics; to be able to apply physical principles to other problems; to overcome fear of math, quantitative approach to science.

• General understanding of how 1st & 2nd order linear differentialequations explain behavior of various physical systems (mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity).

• Living things rely on a number of physical principles. Concepts we cover in lecture & techniques/equipment used in the laboratory require an understanding of physics. Physics is fundamental to many biological processes, & develop skills in problem-solving & modeling.

• Provide basic concepts in physics as applied to biological functions; learn how to think quantitatively about these applied physics concepts.

Application• To be able to apply physical principles to Biochemistry questions.

• To learn the laws of physics that constrain what organisms do. Also to be able to apply physics in lab settings.

Problem solving/math

Many different goals could be addressed through this course. Would you please rate each of the following possible goals in relation to its importance for your students on a scale of 1 to 5?

5 = very important4 = important3 = somewhat

important2 = slightly

important1 = unimportant

3.3013264390Formulate and carry out experiments

4.3948351340Solve problems using general qualitative logical reasoning within the context of physics

4.1223943944Solve problems using general quantitative problem solving skills within the context of physics

3.41322174894Be familiar with a wide range of physics topics (e.g.

specific heat, AC circuits, rotational motion, geometrical optics, fluids, relativity, …)

4.092661900Know the range of applicability of the principles of

physics (e.g. conservation of energy applied to fluid flow, heat transfer, …)

4.8358317000Know the basic principles behind all physics (e.g. forces, conservation of energy, ...)

1 2 3 4 5 * Ave

Biology Faculty Ratings – Goals (19 given)

3.0002252260

Understand and appreciate 'modern physics' (e.g. nuclear decay, quantum optics, cosmology, quantum mechanics, elementary particles,...)

4.01743262440Overcome misconceptions about the behavior of the physical world

3.109303599Use computers to solve problems within the context of physics

3.7426303540Use modern measurement tools for physical measurements (e.g. spectrophotometers, computer data acquisition, timing techniques,...)

3.9030392604Analyze data from physical measurements

3.509433944Express, verbally and in writing, logical, qualitative thought in the context of physics

2.7001743309Understand and appreciate the historical development and intellectual organization of physics

4.33565131390Provide biological examples of physical principles within the context of physics

5.00100000Other goal. Please specify here. See attached note!2.4055402520Prepare students for the MCAT

3.6525452055Apply the physics topics covered to new situations not explicitly taught by the course

3.505504005Use with confidence the physics topics covered

4.0030452050Provide real world applications of mathematical concepts and techniques within the context of physics

3.4010453505Express, verbally and in writing, logical, qualitative thought in the context of physics

Other Goals:1. Would prefer bio students take physics as early in their careers as

possible, but this is often difficult to arrange.2. Provide examples of physics within a biological context. (5)3. Conceptual thinking. Seeing a big picture rather then only memorizing

facts. Concept mapping is a useful tool for organizing the details around a main concept or theme. (5)

Highest RatedGoals:Goals: Biology Majors Course 2003

4.9 Basic principles behind all physics (*1)4.4 General qualitative problem solving skills4.3 Use biological examples of physical principles (*2)4.2 Overcome misconceptions about physical world (*4)4.1 General quantitative problem solving skills (*3)4.0 Real world application of mathematical concepts and techniques

Modified survey in response to CBS Curriculum Committee

Goals:Goals: Calculus-based Course (88% engineering majors) 19934.5 Basic principles behind all physics4.5 General qualitative problem solving skills4.4 General quantitative problem solving skills4.2 Apply physics topics covered to new situations4.2 Use with confidence

Goals:Goals: Algebra-based Course (24 different majors) 19874.7 Basic principles behind all physics4.2 General qualitative problem solving skills4.2 Overcome misconceptions about physical world4.0 General quantitative problem solving skills4.0 Apply physics topics covered to new situations

Lowest Rated

3.301525401010Formulate and carry out experiments

3.101030351010Use computers to solve problems within the context of physics

3.0002545300Understand and appreciate 'modern physics' (e.g. nuclear decay, quantum optics, cosmology, quantum mechanics, elementary particles,...)

2.70015502510Understand and appreciate the historical development and intellectual organization of physics

2.4055402520Prepare students for the MCAT1 2 3 4 5 * Ave

Goals Chosen

• Fundamental Principles– Limit formula use to practice using basics– Depth rather than coverage

• Mathematical Problem Solving– Qualitative reasoning important– Systematic problem solving framework

• Biological Context– Complex problems

• Discussion Sections– Coaching Groups Working on Complex

Problems

• Laboratories– Solutions to Well Defined Problems

Use Context Rich Problems

LECTURES Three hours each week taught by professor

RECITATIONSECTION

LABORATORY

One hour each week taught by TA

Two hours each week taught by TA.

TESTS Given in lecture period. Three hour final exam.

Course Structure Constraints

1 hr = 50 min

45% A lab with well defined directions explaining how to use a simple apparatus to verify a physical principle.

35% A lab with a well defined question or problem illustrating a physical principle and minimal guidance about how to use the simple apparatus.

35% A lab where the students are given a general concept from which they must formulate an experimental question, then design and conduct an experiment from a choice of apparatus.

20% Other. Please describe.

Laboratory StructureThe laboratory associated with this course is typically taught by graduate teaching assistants and could be structured in several ways. Please place an 'X' by that structure most appropriate for your students.

10 % Students ask the instructor to solve specific homework problems on the board.

30 % Instructor asks students to solve specific homework problems on the board.

15 % Instructor asks students to solve unfamiliar textbook problems, then gives the solution on the board.

20 % Instructor asks students to solve “real world” problems individually and write their solution on the board.

70 % Students work in small groups to solve “real world” problems with coaching from the instructor.

10 % Students work in small groups to solve conceptual questions with coaching from the instructor.

15 % Other. Please describe.

Discussion Section Structure

The discussion sections associated with this course are typically taught by graduate teaching assistants and could be structured in several ways. Please place an 'X' by that structure most appropriate for your students.

Student Constraints

Students have Misconceptions about

Nature

Problem-solving

The Field of Physics

Learning Physics

All combine to make it difficult for studentsto solve problems.

Not the same as “getting a problem right”.

?

Physics for Biology Majors600 students/term

MajorsBiological Science 49%Allied Health 19%Social Science 7%Architecture 3%Engineering 2%Other 20%+ Pre-Med 37%

Had U. Calculus 71%(Had HS Calculus) 50%Had HS Physics 71%

Freshman 7%Sophomore 38%Junior 19%Senior 17%

Expect A 48%Work 74%Work more than 10 hrs/wk 50%

Male 39%Female 61%

%T %*__90__ _ 15_ Potential energy and conservation of energy __85__ _ 15_ Kinetic energy and work__85__ _ 20_ Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics __85__ _ 15_ Electric charge and force__85__ _ 13_ Electric potential__80__ _ 0 _ Linear motion__80__ _ 0 _ Forces and Newton's Laws__75__ _ 15_ Units, dimensions and vectors__75__ _ 5 _ Temperature and ideal gas__75__ _ 0 _ Electric field__75__ _ 5 _ Molecules and gases (e.g. probability distributions of velocity, equipartition)__75__ _ 9 _ Mirrors and lenses__70__ _ 0 _ Momentum and collisions__70__ _ 9 _ Nuclear physics and radioactive decay__65__ _ 0 _ Two dimensional motion__65__ _ 0 _ Gravitation__65__ _ 4 _ Currents in materials (e.g. resistance, insulator, semiconductors)__65__ _ 15_ Heat flow and the first law of thermodynamics__65__ _ 0 _ Magnetic forces and fields __60__ _ 4 _ Geometrical optics (e.g. reflection and refraction)__60__ _ 0 _ Diffraction

_55__ _ 0 _ Oscillatory motion__55__ _ 4 _ Currents and DC circuits

23 Chapters

%T %*__50__ _ 0 _ Rotations and torque__45__ _ 5 _ Applications of Newton's laws__45__ _ 0 _ Angular momentum__45__ _ 0 _ Gauss' law__45__ _ 4 _ Currents and magnetic fields (e.g. Ampere's law, Biot-Savart law)__45__ _ 0 _ Interference__40__ _ 5 _ Fluid mechanics__40__ _ 5 _ Properties of solids (e.g. stress, strain, thermal expansion)__40__ _ 0 _ Capacitors and dielectrics__40__ _ 4 _ Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves__40__ _ 0 _ Relativity__35__ _ 4 _ Faraday's law __35__ _ 0 _ Superposition and interference of waves__30__ _ 0 _ Mechanical waves__30__ _ 0 _ Statics__30__ _ 0 _ Magnetism and matter (e.g. ferromagnetism, diamagnetism)__30__ _ 9 _ AC circuits__30__ _ 0 _ Atomic physics __20__ _ 0 _ Quantum physics__15__ _ 0 _ Magnetic Inductance__15__ _ 0 _ Particle physics__ 0 __ _ 0 _ Other. Please specify.

21 Chapters

Curriculum first semester

• Conservation and systems– Scale (macroscopic and

microscopic)– Transfer & Interaction– Cycles– Balance and accounting

• Growth• Population increase

• Energy of systems– Kinetic Energy– Stored Energy

• Potential energy• Internal energy• Chemical energy

• Energy transfer– Material– Heat– Force (macroscopic &

microscopic)– Direction and vectors

• Other Conservation– Momentum

• Mechanisms of Interactions– Forces and change

• Directions and vectors– Kinematics and rates of change

• Velocity and acceleration• Directions and vectors

– Oscillations

Topics – First Semester Plan

12 Oscillations14-15

2, 3Predicting Motion13-14

5, 11, 19

Applications - Forces11-12

4Interaction Mechanisms -Forces

10-11

7, 8Conservation of Energy & Momentum

8-9

18Cyclic Processes & Entropy

6-7

16, 17Energy & Thermal Processes

4-5

6 Energy & Energy Transfer

2-3

21, 20Conservation, Systems, & Cyclic Processes - Electric Circuits

1-2

Week Topic Chapter Week Topic Chapter

Textbook: Serway & JewittPrinciples of Physics – 3rd Edition

Problem Solving is a Useful for Learning Physics

Solving Problems Requires Conceptual Knowledge:Solving Problems Requires Conceptual Knowledge:A Framework for Decisions about Physics

Students must be taught problem solving explicitly

• Determine goal

• Choose relevant information• Choose applicable principles

• Construct a plan• Arrive at an answer• Evaluate the solution

The difficulty -- major misconceptions, poor reflective skills, weak general tools

• Visualize situation

Heller, J. & Reif, F. (1984) Larkin, J. H. & Reif, F. (1979)

Some Reflective Skills (Metacognition)Managing time and direction

Determining next step

Monitoring understanding

Asking skeptical questions

Reflecting on own learning process

Some General Tools (Heuristics)

Means - Ends Analysis (identifying goals and subgoals)

Working Backwards (step by step planning from desired result)

Successive Approximations (idealization, approximation, evaluation)

External Representations (pictures, diagrams, mathematics)

General Principles of Physics

Problem-solving FrameworkUsed by experts in all fields

Recognize the ProblemWhat's going on?STEP 1STEP 1

Describe the problem in terms of the fieldWhat does this have to do with ...... ?STEP 2STEP 2

Plan a solutionHow do I get out of this?STEP 3STEP 3

Execute the planLet's get an answerSTEP 4STEP 4

Evaluate the solutionCan this be true?STEP 5STEP 5

CompetentProblem Solver

(i.e. Polya 1957) Chi, M., Glaser, R., & Rees, E. (1982)

The Dilemma

Start with simple problemsto learn expert-like strategy.

Success using novice strategy.

Why change?

Start with complex problemsso novice strategy fails

Difficulty using new strategy.

Why change?

The “Clear Explanation” Misconception

Leonard et. al. (1999). Concept-Based Problem Solving.

Instructor Pours knowledge into

students.

Little knowledge is retained.

Impedance mismatch between student and

instructor.

Commonly held by Faculty, TAs, Students, & Administrators

Learning is more complicated

Cognitive Apprenticeship

Instruction

sightsand

sounds

newideas

existingideasinflu

ence

development

of

filter givemeaningto

INSTRUCTION

coach

model

fadeCollins, Brown, & Newman (1989)

Learning in the environment of expert practice

The Course as a System

Use strengths of components acting togetherLectures - 3 x 50 min. each week

Model construction of knowledgeExplicit StorylineMotivate all concepts

Model problem solvingA single explicit frameworkAlways start from basic principles

Recitation sections - 1 x 50 min. each weekLaboratories - 1 x 110 min. each week

Coach problem solvingSame framework as lectureSame concepts as lecture

(16 students)

(200 - 400 students)

Heller, P., Foster, T. & Heller, K. (1997)

Cooperative Group Problem Solving

Problem Design and Problem-solving Frameworkbased on expert-novice research

Coaching based on collaborative learning research

Emphasis: Fundamental Physics Principles & Problem Solving

Constraints: Lecture (model), Recitation (coach), and Laboratory (coach)

ScaffoldingContext-rich problems that require physics decisionsExplicit problem-solving frameworkStructured cooperative groups

Remove scaffolding: FADE support

Johnson & Johnson, 1984

Heller, P. & Hollabaugh, M. 1992

Final Exam Physics 1301 (Sci & Eng) f 2002

Final Exam Physics 1301 (Sci & Eng) f 2002

Why Group Problem Solving

MayNot Work

1. Inappropriate Tasks

2. Inappropriate Grading

3. Poor structure and management of Groups

4. Curricular Elements Do Not Correspond to the Instructor’s Beliefs or Values

FCI changes

FCI Pre Score by Section

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

F94

1251

all

F94

1251

.2

F94

1251

.4

F95

1251

.1

F95

1251

.3

F95

1251

.5

F96

1251

.2

F96

125.

4

F97

1251

.1

F97

1251

.3

F97

1251

.5

F98

1251

.2

F98

1251

.4

F99

1301

F99

1301

F00

1301

.1

F00

1301

.3

F00

1301

.5

F01

1301

.1

F01

1301

.3

F01

1301

.5

F02

1301

.2

F02

1301

.4

Section

FCI P

re S

core

(%)

Fall Freshmen (Sci. & Eng.)

94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02

Quality Assurance

Halloun, I. A. & Hestenes, D. (1985) Hestenes, D., Wells, M. & Swackhamer, G. (1992)

Typical FCI Results

G = .23

Physics 1201 – Physics for Biology Majors (stage 1)Input = 39% Output = 53%

Physics 1001 – Energy & Environment (“traditional” conceptual)

Input = 34% Output = 35% G = .015

Physics 1301 – Physics for Science & Engineering (mature CGPS)

Input = 46% Output = 70% G = .44

Stage I (L. Hsu) – Reduce Content Density, Problem Solving Framework, Problem Solving Laboratories, Computerize Reading Quiz, Index Card Lecture Response System, Traditional Order, No Discussion Sections

Next Stage – Add Discussion Sections for Coaching (cooperative groups), Reorder Content, Match Labs to Content, Electric Response System in Lecture

Comparisons of Full and Partial Models

RPI OSU

UMd

UMn

DC

DC

S/W

Jeff Saul, Karen Cummings

Rel

ativ

e %

Gai

n on

FC

I

Final PS vs FCI posty = 0.5935x + 0.1584

R2 = 0.9577

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

0.90

0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0

FCI post

Prob

lem

Gra

de

S e rie s1

L in e a r (S e rie s1 )

1301.1 f2001

FCI is a good Quality Assurance Tool

Physics 1301

Heller, P., Huffman, D (1995)

Final State

Student Problem Solutions

Initial State

Physics 1301

Improvement in Problem Solving

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Top Third

Middle Third

Bottom third

Percent Students

Time (days)

Logical Progression

General Approach - does the student understand the physicsSpecific Application of the Physics - starting from the physics they used, how did the student apply this knowledge?Logical Progression - is the solution logically presented?Appropriate Mathematics - is the math correct and useful?

LECTURESThree hours each week, sometimes with informal cooperative groups. Model constructing knowledge, model problem solving framework.

RECITATIONSECTION

LABORATORY

One hour each Thursday – cooperative groups practice using problem-solving framework to solve context-rich problems. Peer coaching, TA coaching.

Two hours each week -- same groups practice using framework to solve concrete experimental problems. SameTA. Peer coaching, TA coaching.

TESTSFriday -- problem-solving quiz & conceptual questions (usually multiple choice) every three weeks.

Course Structure

• Analysis of student exams

• Observation of student interactions

• Measures of conceptual understanding

• FCI (Force Concept Inventory)

• Other inventories

• Open ended questions

• Interviews

• Measures of hierarchical structure of physics

• Measures of student satisfaction

• Surveys

• Dropout rate

• Ease of implementation

• Survey goals of faculty consumers

• Interviews to determine instructor instructional framework

Data

The End

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http://groups.physics.umn.edu/physed/