Physics Education Research

New PhET Fractions simulation!

October 23, 2012

I wanted to share the news about one of the newest simulations from the PhET simulations team — Fractions and a stripped-down introductory version of the simulation (Fractions Matcher). http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/fraction-matcher http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/fractions-intro   I’ve been working a little with the PhET team of late, to make some video resources for teachers using the simulations, so I’ve [...]

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Creating a “time for telling”

July 20, 2012

I’ve written a few times about creating a “time for telling” — preparing students for lecture by having them invent a solution before they are given the expert solution.  This is related to students’ inability to transfer learning to new situations — if they just get the expert solution, without a chance to make meaning [...]

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Nice article about my podcast series….

June 25, 2012

Our educational technology folks at CU just published a very nice article about my Learning About Teaching Physics podcast series. A planet traverses the face of the sun.  Particles collide.  The energies that make up the natural world are contemplated and measured.  Physics can be a captivating subject, yet introductory course instructors often struggle with [...]

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Get the latest on education research, on your own time: Learning About Teaching Physics audio podcast

May 23, 2012

I’m pleased to be able to announce the official release of an audio podcast on education research, geared towards K12 and college teachers.  (I’ve been putting together Learning About Teaching Physics for the past year, but technical issues delayed launch this winter.)  This is intended to be a short, accessible, and well-produced way to learn [...]

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Large lecture inquiry: How to engage students in the practices of science

March 11, 2012

I’m behind in my blogging from the AAPT Winter Meeting, but better late than never. I had the pleasure of meeting Fred Goldberg at this meeting, an influential teacher and education researcher.  Even without knowing that he’s an important guy, you can sense his charm and intelligence like a warm glow.  He’s very thoughtful and [...]

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What can we learn about learning from research in museums, media, and other informal environments? (#AAPTwm12)

March 7, 2012

A kid goes to a science museum, and plays around with a whirling vapor tornado.  The same kid sits in his science classes at school, and reads about weather and climate.  Do these two experiences have anything to do with each other?  Of course they do; but typically, we do “classroom science” in one way, [...]

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