PHYS 345.001 Teaching and Learning Physics COURSE SYLLABUS: Spring 2018 Instructor: Dr. Robynne Lock Office Location: STC 238 Office Hours: W 11:00-12:00, R 2:00-4:00, or by appointment Office Phone: 903-468-8767 Office Fax: 903-886-5480 University Email Address: robynne.lock@tamuc.edu COURSE INFORMATION Required Textbook: R.D. Knight, Five Easy Lessons: Strategies for Successful Physics Teaching (2004) (ISBN 9780805387025) Required Textbook: E.F. Redish, Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite (Available online for free at http://www.physics.umd.edu/~redish/book/) Recommended Textbook: S. McGuire, Teach Students How to Learn (2016) (ISBN 9781620363164) Other readings will be provided throughout the course. Course Description This course is a survey of physics education research (PER) and its applications to high school and college teaching. University Catalogue Description How people teach, learn, and understand key concepts in physics. This course is a survey of physics education research. Topics include constructivism, student conceptions, the hidden curriculum, identity and assessment. 1
Student Learning Outcomes 1. Students will be able to describe how to apply findings of physics education research to teaching and learning. 2. Students will be able to explain the purpose of understanding both the cognitive and affective domains in physics education research. 3. Students will be able to evaluate the methods used in physics education research studies. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Instructional / Methods / Activities Assessments This class is divided into two major areas. Tuesdays will be focused on four big ideas in PER: methodology, the cognitive domain, the affective domain, and teaching strategies, while Thursdays will focus on the PER in specific content areas in introductory physics classes. Thus, students will gain a broad understanding of PER and also a specific understanding of how to apply PER in introductory physics classes. Class time will consist of interactive lecture, discussion, and activities. GRADING Grades will be based on four components: Reading reflections 30% Unit quizzes 40% Final project 20% In-class activities/contributions 10% Grading scale: 90 points < A 80 points < B < 89 points 70 points < C < 79 points 60 points < D < 69 points F < 60 points Reading reflections: Readings will be assigned approximately weekly. You will write half-page responses to each reading based on assigned prompts. Unit quizzes: There will be 4 unit quizzes. The take-home quizzes are due on the dates listed at the end of the syllabus. Final project: You may choose from one of two projects: literature review or research project proposal. You will submit a short proposal early in the semester describing the topic you have chosen and then submit a rough draft in the second half of the semester. The final project is due at the end of the semester. Due dates are listed at the end of the syllabus. 2
In-class activities/contributions: Class time will include activities and discussions. This grade will be determined from random collection of in-class work, contributions to class discussion, and attendance. COURSE AND UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES/POLICIES Course Specific Procedures 1. Cell phone use is only allowed if used for class activities. 2. Eating is not allowed. However, covered drinks are allowed. 3. Attendance will be verified by seating chart at the beginning of class. 4. The instructor must be notified by email (robynne.lock@tamuc.edu) about any excused absences no later than 24 hours after the missed class. Even if you choose to notify the instructor in person, you must still follow up with email within 24 hours of the missed class. If you do not follow this policy, you will not be able to make up missed exams or turn in late work except in extreme circumstances. 5. You are responsible for obtaining notes and class announcements from missed classes. 6. Excessive absences may result in being dropped from the course. 7. When emailing the instructor, include the course number in the subject line. 9. You are expected to check your email at least once a day for class announcements. Emails will be sent to the email addresses you provided to MyLeo. Notify the instructor if you would prefer to receive emails at a different address. 11. Students should fully participate in class activities. 12. Students are expected to be professional and respectful and take responsibility for their learning. If you find yourself struggling, the instructors are available to provide extra help outside of class. Syllabus Change Policy The syllabus is a guide. Circumstances and events, such as student progress, may make it necessary for the instructor to modify the syllabus during the semester. Any changes made to the syllabus will be announced in advance. Writing Center For assistance with writing, the Writing Center, located in Hall of Languages 103, is open Monday through Thursday, 9am-4pm and Friday 9am-1pm. 3
The Writing Center also offers the Online Writing Lab, which can be accessed by sending an e- mail to writing.tamuc@gmail.com. University Specific Procedures Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact: Student Disability Resources & Services Texas A&M University-Commerce Gee Library, Room 162 Phone (903) 886-5150 or (903) 886-5835 Fax (903) 468-8148 StudentDisabilityServices@tamuc.edu Student Conduct All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior conducive to a positive learning environment. (See Code of Student Conduct from Student Guide Handbook). Nondiscrimination Notice A&M-Commerce will comply in the classroom, and in online courses, with all federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and related retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information or veteran status. Further, an environment free from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression will be maintained. Campus Concealed Carry Texas Senate Bill - 11 (Government Code 411.2031, et al.) authorizes the carrying of a concealed handgun in Texas A&M University-Commerce buildings only by persons who have been issued and are in possession of a Texas License to Carry a Handgun. Qualified law enforcement officers or those who are otherwise authorized to carry a concealed handgun in the State of Texas are also permitted to do so. Pursuant to Penal Code (PC) 46.035 and A&M- Commerce Rule 34.06.02.R1, license holders may not carry a concealed handgun in restricted locations. For a list of locations, please refer to ((http://www.tamuc.edu/aboutus/policiesprocedures StandardsStatements/rulesProcedures/34SafetyOfEmployeesAndStudents/34.06.02.R1.pdf) and/or consult your event organizer). Pursuant to PC 46.035, the open carrying of handguns is prohibited on all A&M-Commerce campuses. Report violations to the University Police Department at 903-886-5868 or 9-1-1. Plagiarism 4
Plagiarism is a criminal activity. You must cite all sources of information. Unreferenced copying of material, whether parts of sentences, whole sentences, paragraphs, or entire articles can result in a score of zero for your assignment and may result in further disciplinary action. Harassment Policy Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources here: University Title IX Contact: Michele Vieira, 903-886-5025, mailto:titleix@tamuc.edu University resource webpages: http://www.tamuc.edu/facultystaffservices/humanresources/title-ix/resources.aspx http://www.tamuc.edu/campuslife/campusservices/universitypolicedepartment/crimeprevention/ sexualassault.aspx University Counseling Center: 903-886-5145, http://www.tamuc.edu/campuslife/campusservices/counselingcenter/default.aspx Campus police: mailto:upd@tamuc.edu, call 911 in emergency situations External resources: Crisis center of NorthEast Texas: http://www.ccnetx.org Know your IX: http://knowyourix.org End rape on campus: http://endrapeoncampus.org Clery Center for Security on Campus: http://clerycenter.org Not Alone: https://www.notalone.gov COURSE OUTLINE / CALENDAR Big ideas in PER schedule Week 1 Introduction Weeks 2-3 Methodology Weeks 4-7 Cognitive domain Weeks 8-11 Affective domain Weeks 12-15 Teaching techniques Content focus schedule Weeks 1-2 Motion and kinematics Weeks 3-4 Force and Newton s laws Weeks 5-6 Impulse and momentum Weeks 7-8 Work and energy Weeks 9-10 Rotational motion Weeks 11-12 Oscillations Weeks 13-14 Waves 5
Unit quiz due dates Methods 2/6 Cognitive domain 3/6 Affective domain 4/10 Teaching strategies 5/3 Final project due dates Proposal 2/13 Rough draft 4/3 Final paper 5/9 6