Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Education
Collaborative Research: Research And Curriculum Development In Thermal Physics, John R. Thompson, Warren M. Christensen, David E. Meltzer
Collaborative Research: Research And Curriculum Development In Thermal Physics, John R. Thompson, Warren M. Christensen, David E. Meltzer
University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports
This project is a continuation of an ongoing program of coordinated research and research-based curriculum development in thermal physics, primarily in the advanced-level undergraduate courses. Data are gathered using one-on-one student interviews, written pre- and post-test questions, and multiple-choice surveys. The research is then applied to the development of curricular materials intended to improve student understanding in a manner consistent with active-learning methods previously shown to be effective in physics instruction. Prior support has resulted in the development of several interview protocols, diagnostic questions, and survey questions. Project staff have identified several specific conceptual difficulties in thermal physics, and have …
Collaborative Research: Paradigms In Physics: Creating And Testing Materials To Facilitate Dissemination Of The Energy And Entropy Module, John R. Thompson
Collaborative Research: Paradigms In Physics: Creating And Testing Materials To Facilitate Dissemination Of The Energy And Entropy Module, John R. Thompson
University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports
Topics in statistical and thermal physics have long been problematic in the undergraduate curriculum. To many students, the subject matter is abstract and theoretical and often requires mathematical tools they lack. This project addresses the challenge of teaching upper-division thermal and statistical mechanics by building on the Energy and Entropy (E&E) paradigm developed through the Paradigms in Physics Project at Oregon State University and a physics education research project at the University of Maine. E&E takes a radically different approach to statistical mechanics, incorporating the issues of quantum mechanics and measurement at its core and focusing on entropy as the …