1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. Background
Before 2000 2000-04 Studio Physics 2004-08
3 hr Lecture
4 hr Lecture 3 hr Lecture +
+ + 1 hr Workshop
1 hr Lab 2 hr Workshop +
1 hr Lab
Workshops with
PHYS 4210 PHYS 4211 PHYS 2420/ Exclude Thermo PHYS 2420/
TA’s for review
+ + PHYS 2421 and Fluids PHYS 2421
and problem
PHYS 1120 PHYS 1121 (lab included) PHYS 2230 (lab included) sessions
Laboratory experiments Laboratory experiments
4 Sections each with ~30
integrated into course material. independent of course material.
students
Mixed results.
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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. Some Data: Passing rates
Studio Physics 3+1 2+2
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
12. Some Data: Grade distributions
Spring 2008: PHYS 2421
Score range
Number of records: 159
Median grade: 70
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Score range
Number of records: 198
Median grade: 62.55
Fall 2008: PHYS 2421
Grade
Number of records: 198
Grade scale: A-F
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
15. 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
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
24. 2+2 Program
• Quantify effectiveness of 2+2 method
What metrics to use?
• Guarantee future continuation of program
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
25. ¡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
26. Contact Information
• Chemistry: James Becvar jbecvar@utep.edu
• Engineering: Benjamin Flores bflores@utep.edu
• Education: Josefina Tinajero tinajero@utep.edu
• Mathematics: Helmut Knaust hknaust@utep.edu
• Physics: Jorge Lopez jorgelopez@utep.edu
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
