University of Texas at El Paso
Integrated Science, Teaching, and Retention
(I STAR) Project
James Becvar, Benjamin Flores, Helmut Knaust,
Jorge Lopez, Josefina Tinajero.
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
UTEP STEP Program
Curriculum Innovation in
PHYS 2420 and PHYS 2421
Dr. Jorge A. Lopez
Department of Physics
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Outline
•
•
•
•
•
•
Basic data
Background
Today’s PHYS 2420/2421
Some Data
Assessment
Top Challenges
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Basic Data
• PHYS 2420 & 2421 = Calculus-based physics:
• PHYS 2420: Mechanics
• PHYS 2421: Fields and Waves
• Requisite for Engineering & Science students:
• Exceptions: Mechanical Engineering (do not take
2420) and Biology
• Textbooks used in past and present:
• Current: Young & Freeman
• Past: Tipler, Serway
• Offered in Fall and Spring
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Background
Before 2000
4 hr Lecture
+
1 hr Lab
PHYS 4210
+
PHYS 1120
PHYS 4211
+
PHYS 1121
4 Sections each with ~30
students
2000-04 Studio Physics
2004-08
3 hr Lecture
+
2 hr Workshop
3 hr Lecture
+
1 hr Workshop
+
1 hr Lab
PHYS 2420/
PHYS 2421
(lab included)
Exclude Thermo
and Fluids
PHYS 2230
Laboratory experiments
integrated into course material.
Mixed results.
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
PHYS 2420/
PHYS 2421
(lab included)
Workshops with
TA’s for review
and problem
sessions
Laboratory experiments
independent of course material.
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Today’s PHYS 2420/2421: 2+2
2-hour Lecture
• Large groups
• Powerpoints
2-hour Workshop
• Small groups (<15 students)
• With Peer Leaders
• Review, Q&A, demo, collaborative solution of
numerical problems, homework, quizzes
2-hour Lab
• With graduate TAs
• PASCO computer-controlled equipment
• Recipe-like lab manual (to be changed)
• Laboratory experiments independent of course
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Today’s PHYS 2420/2421: The lecture
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Mondays and Wednesdays 11:30-12:20.
Chapters 1–14 (PHYS 2420).
Chapters 21–31 (PHYS 2421).
228 students in PHYS 2421.
Four 1-hour exams + final (70% of grade).
Straight review of book with examples.
No quizzes, no demos.
WebCT:
• Syllabus.
• Lecture notes (PPT).
• Previous exams.
• Podcasts (MP3’s & WMV’s).
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Today’s PHYS 2420/2421: The lab
•2-hour weekly
•Graduate TA
•Own lab manual (recipe-like)
•Groups of 20 students
•15% of course grade
•PASCO computer controlled
equipment
•Final exam
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Today’s PHYS 2420/2421: The workshop
• Peer Led Team Learning Model:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provides an active learning environment
Uses group activities to enhance student
understanding
Grades: 5% homework + 10% quizzes.
Undergraduate Peer Leaders
Groups of 15 students
2-hour weekly workshop
Ingredients:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Review of lecture
Demo
Group work of numerical problems
Discussion of homework problems
Quizzes
Reviews for exams
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Today’s PHYS 2420/2421: The workshop
•
The Peer Leaders:
•
•
PHYS 2420: Demetrio Corralez, Daniel Torres, David Scott, Jesus Bensojo, Peter
Andrade, Brady McMicken, Toni McCulloch, David McPherson.
PHYS 2421: Denise Ruiz, Jorge Guerrero, Alejandro Carus, Jorge Alonso, Judith
Rivera, Oscar Espino, Enrique Ramirez, Corey Keith, Antony Adair, Juan Garcia,
Daniel Esparza.
•
Average GPA: 2.91
•
Group Meetings every two weeks;
•
individual meetings on a daily-basis
Duties:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Prepare reviews of lectures
Set up and operate demos
Discuss homeworks
Prepare and grade quizzes
Prepare exam reviews
Hold office hours
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Some Data: Passing rates
Studio Physics
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
3+1
A T
E L
P A S O
2+2
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Number of records: 198
Median grade: 62.55
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Number of records: 198
Grade scale: A-F
Score range
Number of records: 159
Median grade: 70
Grade
Spring 2008: PHYS 2421
Score range
Some Data: Grade distributions
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Assessment: Workshop evaluation
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Population: 40 students
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Assessment: Workshop evaluation
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Population: 40 students
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Assessment: Student survey
• Goal:
 Identify problems as seen by the students
• Methodology:
 Apply web-surveys about course, lecture and
workshop
• Resulting sample population: ~ 50 students
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Survey: About the course
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Population: 40 students
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Survey: About the lecture
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Population: 40 students
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Survey: About the workshop
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Population: 40 students
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Assessment: Pre and Post exams
• Goal:
 Substantiate learning of conceptual and numerical
problems.
 Satisfy SACS
• Methodology:



Apply pre-test before a topic has been covered.
Cover topic in class, workshop, lab.
Apply equivalent post-test after topic has been covered.
• Sample population: ~ 20 students
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Assessment: Pre and Post exams
Spring 2009: PHYS 2421
Pre-exam
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Assessment: Standardized exams
• Goal:
 Quantify learning by comparison to a national sample
• Methodology:
 Use ETS standardized exams
 Use exam as part of final exam
 Compare to ETS’ national averages
• Sample population:
 Entire class (~200 students)
 Excludes dropouts
• Results not ready yet.
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Top challenges: Lecture
• Improve initial background
of students:
 Students did not take high
school physics
• Add more value to lecture:
 Make students study before
coming to class
• Increase attendance:
 Is attendance needed?
 Can WebCT replace in-person
attendance?
 Use daily quizzes?
 Clickers?
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Top challenges: Workshop
• Improve background of Peer Leaders
 Reduce physics misconceptions
• Improve preparation of PLs
 Better pedagogy
 Better workshop structure
• Increase retention of PLs as PLs
 Some last one or two semesters only
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
2+2 Program
•
Quantify effectiveness of 2+2 method

•
Guarantee future continuation of program


•
What metrics to use?
Sell idea to future faculty to implement program.
Convince administrators to support PLs after
funding ends.
Specialized training of physics PLs
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
¡Muchas gracias!
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O
Contact Information
•
•
•
•
•
Chemistry: James Becvar
Engineering: Benjamin Flores
Education: Josefina Tinajero
Mathematics: Helmut Knaust
Physics: Jorge Lopez
U N I V E R S I T Y
jbecvar@utep.edu
bflores@utep.edu
tinajero@utep.edu
hknaust@utep.edu
jorgelopez@utep.edu
O F
T E X A S
A T
E L
P A S O