Revising the introductory physics sequence at

Central Washington University

Michael JacksonDepartment of Physics

Central Washington University

Background2007-2008 AY

• 20 physics majors• 1 physics degree

(on average about4.5 degrees/yr)

• 5 FTEF

2012-2013 AY

• 80 physics majors• 14 physics degree

(this year about 20 physics degrees)

• 4.5 FTEF

o Functional department; #s were just small.o Any elements missing from the SPIN-UP report

were implemented such as engaging introductory courses taught by the ‘best’ instructors. Students became ‘aware’ of their desire to study physics.

The introductory sequence2007-2008 AY

• 72 student lecture section• Four 18 student lab sections• Lecture and lab sections

independent and taught by different instructors

2012-2013 AY

• Two to three 40 student lecture/lab sections

• Instructors for various sections can differ

o Slightly more students are being served using the same resources in an environment that has been demonstrated to better facilitate student learning.

• 12 WLU (contact hours);4 WLU for lecture and 2 WLU per lab section

• 6 WLU (contact hours) per integrated lecture/lab section

Before and After

Stakeholders• Administration

No cost, no problem• Students

There will be resistance (placing experienced faculty in this class is very important)

There are demonstrated gains (helpful to regularly remind students of this)

• Faculty and Staff PER has demonstrated improved student

learning (so consider it an experiment) Are there any champions among the faculty?

Our Resultso Department’s enrollment growth.

o Some improvement in student learning and we can do better!

o Its an experiment! So we can continue to monitor our courses, making adjustments based on student and faculty needs.

References• SPIN-UP report, National Task Force on Undergraduate

Physics, retrieved March 7, 2014 from http://www.aapt.org/programs/projects/ntfup/index.cfmhttp://www.aps.org/programs/education/undergrad/faculty/spinup/spinup-report.cfm

• SCALE-UP (Dr. Robert Beichner, NC State University)http://www.ncsu.edu/per/scaleup.html

• A manuscript outlining a portion of our work at CWU is being prepared by my colleague (Dr. Bruce Palmquist) that will be submitted to Effective Practices in Preservice Physics Teacher Education.

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