Proposed Study Assessment and Outlook for Undergraduate Physics Education. November 2, 2008 Beckman Center of the National Academies Irvine, CA

Transcription

1 Proposed Study Assessment and Outlook for Undergraduate Physics Education November 2, 2008 Beckman Center of the National Academies Irvine, CA

2 Background of Study National reports, notably "Rising Above the Gathering Storm", document the importance of improving education in the sciences. In physics, there are many challenges involved in meeting this goal. In colleges and universities, traditionally-taught introductory physics courses serve as a gateway for not only physics majors, but for many other science and engineering disciplines. Yet, such courses frequently fail to teach students the basic concepts of physics Furthermore, these gaps in understanding persist through the physics major, appearing even among graduate students (Shaffer and McDermott, 1993) who are critical to teaching undergraduate courses. At the high school level, fewer than 25% of physics teachers have a major in physics and as a content discipline, it is in great need of high school teachers.

3 PER as a Resource Over the last several decades, physics education research (PER) has grown as a sub-discipline of physics within physics departments around the country. By treating the learning of physics as a scientific problem, PER has made significant progress, both in improving our understanding of teaching and learning in physics and in producing more effective learning environments. The field has grown to include over 600 members including faculty, postdocs and PhD students at 35 research universities, with results disseminated through archival journals (such as Physical Review) and annual conferences. While research-based curricula and reformed practices have demonstrated significant improvements in student learning, these reforms spread only with support, sustained effort, and funding.

4 Background Studies Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future (NA, 2007) Understanding Interventions That Encourage Minorities to Pursue Research Careers: Summary of a Workshop (BLS, 2007) Taking Science to School: Learning and Teaching Science in Grades K-8 (BOSE, 2007) Minorities in the Chemical Workforce: Diversity Models that Work (BCST, 2003) Evaluating and Improving Undergraduate Teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CFE, 2003) Bio2010: Transforming Undergraduate Education for Future Research Biologists (BLS, 2002)

5 White Paper Presented to BPA - 4/08 Accelerating the transfer of research into practice How can best practices and research-based findings in physics education be scaled to make them more widespread and sustained? Recruiting and preparing the next generation of physics researchers Student education and experiences with research as undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates can all play important roles in their development as professional researchers. What are the characteristics of these environments that are effective in producing high quality, strongly motivated researchers? Preparing and supporting teachers of physics and physical science from K- 12 Pre-college physics teachers play a crucial role in the creation of the next generation of physicists and in promoting a positive attitude towards science in the general population. What activities can be encouraged of college and university physics departments that will be most effective in recruiting good students into high school teaching and in supporting existing teachers in improving their knowledge of physics and their teaching skills?

6 White Paper Presented to BPA - 4/08 (cont d) Educating science and technology professionals in physics relevant to their disciplines (i.e., engineers, health scientists); educating the populace (non-scientists) Traditionally, physics departments at colleges and universities teach large number of students in engineering and biology. These areas are changing dramatically and are making significant transformations to their curricula. How can physics continue to play a significant and appropriate role in the education of students in these (and other) professions? Assessment of Educational Practices The learning of physics is a complex and subtle activity that takes place over many years. What are ways of evaluating the effectiveness of physics teaching at all levels that are appropriate to the real goals of physics instruction and what are the constraints, faced locally and nationally? Advancing knowledge of how students learn physics What needs to be done in order to maintain and improve the vitality and effectiveness of the discipline-based physics education research community? What is the appropriate balance for the next decade between the study of fundamental issues and the transfer of research results to practice?

7 Proposal Approved by Governing Board Statement of Task: The committee will produce a report that identifies the grand challenges facing undergraduate physics education and examines issues underpinning the field. Recommendations will address undergraduate physics education research (UPER), best practices, and education policy. The committee will: 1. Assess the current status of UPER by: (a) Describing the current landscape of undergraduate physics education; (b) Discussing progress and issues in the UPER field; (c) Identifying and examining the efficacy of current assessment methods; (d) Identifying and prioritizing areas of UPER in particular need of research. 2. Address the future of undergraduate physics education by: (a) Identifying best practices in undergraduate physics education; (b) Considering mechanisms to deploy assessment tools; (c) Recommending strategies for academic institutions and policymakers to improve undergraduate physics education.

8 Statement of Task (cont.) The committee will consider several active issues in undergraduate physics education research relevant to the study, with greater attention given to topics I, II, & III. I. Advancing the understanding of how students learn physics II. Assessment of Educational Practices III. Recruiting and retaining undergraduate students in physics IV. Physics education of other science and technology professionals V. Dissemination of best practices

9 Initial Response General enthusiasm for study, with particular interest in a study that focuses on the education as opposed to the research aspects of the proposal. In particular, interest was shown in how best practices in physics education can be scaled to make them more widespread and sustained, and what is needed to prepare and support physics and physical science teachers in K-12. Proposal is being reworked in light of comments.