SMERC Seminar - Physics instructors needs and undergraduate student learning

Physics instructors needs and undergraduate student learningDina Zohrabi-AlaeeGraduate Research Assistant, Department of PhysicsKansas State UniversityAbstract:Physics as a discipline embeds conceptual meaning about the physical world in mathematical formalism. How meaning is associated with symbols depends sensitively on context, and physicists can shift meaning through symbolic manipulation. Physics instructors want students to think critically about mathematics and the underlying fundamental concepts, rather than simply memorizing a series of equations and answers. The ability to use mathematical tools to prove, solve and argue physics concepts and equations has an important role in education. To address this, I present an analysis of the different physical meanings associated with the equals sign "=" that can be inferred from introductory and upper-level physics textbooks. This research also reveals how physics students use the equals sign in an electrostatics course written homework and compare their solution to the textbook solutions manual. In addition, in this talk, I will discuss part of my research on developing resources to support physics instructors. Designing and developing useful resources for physics instructors is a largely unaddressed issue in physics education research. The PhysPort team interviewed 23 physics instructors at diverse US institutions about their instructional practices. Our research takes an instructor–centered perspective: what are the ways in which physics instructors think and talk about their teaching practice?To request Interpreting Services visit:http://myAccess.rit.edu Speaker Bio:Dina Zohrabi Alaee is a physics Ph.D. student at Kansas State University. Previously, she was a physics and science teacher in her hometown of Tehran, Iran. Her research projects range from the students’ practices in physics (e.g. How do groups of students frame discussion in physics?) to the instructional change (e.g. How do physics instructors approach changes in their teaching?) Dina enjoys road trips, painting, dancing, cooking, and all things that come with guac.Intended Audience:No background knowledge required. All are welcome.