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2010 Summer Meeting

2011 AAPT Summer Meeting
July 30-August 3, 2011
Omaha, Nebraska


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Sessions and Events w/Abstracts

Date: Monday, August 01

 

Total Number of Records Found: 10

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CC:   

Best Practices in the Use of Educational Technologies III
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 6:30PM - 8:00PM
  Presider: Cathy Ezrailson,
  Co-Presiders(s): None
  Equipment: N/A
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CC01:   

PhET Sims for Middle School -- Design, Use, and Classroom Implementation
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 6:30PM - 6:40PM
  Author: Noah S. Podolefsky,
303-641-8217, Noah.Podolefsky@Colorado.EDU
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: The PhET Interactive Simulations project is a collection of more than 100 simulations of physical phenomena that create animated, interactive, game-like environments in which students learn through scientist-like exploration. While the sims are designed and tested with introductory college-level courses, anecdotal data from middle school teachers suggested that PhET sims could be used effectively with fifth-eighth graders -- with teachers citing the intuitive controls and engaging, game-like style. These reports motivated us to study how sims can be best designed for and used in middle schools more systematically. We have conducted numerous interviews with middle school students using PhET sims, and collected video and observational data from middle school classes using sims. We will present our findings from these studies, including effective design principles for middle school sims, insights into how middle school students learn from sims, and benefits of and challenges to using sim-based activities in middle school classes.
  Footnotes: This work is funded by the Hewlett Foundation, NSF DRK12 Grant #1020362, The O'Donnell Foundation and the University of Colorado at Boulder.
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CC02:   

Going Beyond End of Chapter Problems in LON-CAPA
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 6:40PM - 6:50PM
  Author: Boris Korsunsky, Weston High School
781-786-5800, korsunskyb@mail.weston.org
  Co-Author(s): Raluca E. Teodorescu, Carolin N Cardamone, Saif Rayyan, David Pritchard
  Abstract: We describe the open-source library of physics problems we are collecting in LON-CAPA (http://loncapa.mit.edu). Currently, the library features both traditional and research-based problems intended to expose students to various contexts, problem features, knowledge and cognitive processes. We are adding conceptual questions and challenge problems that require out-of-the-box thinking. The conceptual questions were developed at Ohio State University and MIT. The challenge problems are inspired by various tasks published in The Physics Teacher. 1-3] We are planning to evaluate the difficulty and pedagogical effectiveness of those problems using Item Response Theory (IRT). This permits determination of a student's skill independent of which problems they do. We welcome collaborators willing to add their problems to our library.
  Footnotes: [1] Korsunsky, B. (2004) Ready, SET, Go! A research-based approach to problem solving. The Physics Teacher, 42, 493-497. [2] Korsunsky, B. (2001-present) Physics Challenges for Teachers and Students (a monthly column). The Physics Teacher. The library of past Challenges is online at http://tpt.aapt.org/features/physics_challenge_solutions. [3] Korsunsky, B. (1995). Braintwisters for physics students. The Physics Teacher, 33, 550-553.
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CC03:   

First Assessment of the Integrated Learning Environment for Mechanics
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 6:50PM - 7:00PM
  Author: Raluca E. Teodorescu
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
615-253-5729, rteodore@mit.edu
  Co-Author(s): Sara Julin, Analia Barrantes, Daniel Seaton, David Pritchard
  Abstract: We present the first evaluation of our open-source Integrated Learning Environment for Mechanics (ILEM)[1] - http://loncapa.mit.edu. The centerpiece of this environment is a collection of multi-level research-based homework sets organized by topic and cognitive complexity, whose design helps students learn physics problem solving. These sets are associated with learning modules that contain short expositions of the content supplemented by integrated open-access videos, worked examples, simulations, and tutorials. In our evaluation of homework problems, we analyze student attempts, preferences, and performance on different types of problems (e.g. representation, ranking and strategy writing problems). In our evaluation of content, we analyze observations generated by student comments in the discussion boards and during critical thinking activities. We continue to expand and improve the content and we welcome users and collaborators.
  Footnotes: [1] R. Teodorescu, A. Pawl, S. Rayyan, A. Barrantes and D. E. Pritchard, Toward an Integrated Online Environment, 2010 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by S. Rebello, M. Sabella and C. Singh
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CC04:   

Expanding LON-CAPA Homework Sets to Include Student-Generated Graphs
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 7:00PM - 7:10PM
  Author: James T. Laverty, Michigan State University
419-944-5802, laverty1@msu.edu
  Co-Author(s): Gerd Kortemeyer
  Abstract: The ability to work with graphs is a necessary skill in all of the sciences, yet students still struggle with it. Previous graph-related problems in LON-CAPA (http://www.lon-capa.org/) required students to pick the correct graph from a set of graphs or infer data from a given graph. Data gathered from the Test of Understanding Graphics -- Kinematics (TUG-K) confirms that these problem types only minimally improve representation translation skills. A new problem type has been developed in LON-CAPA that allows students to construct (draw) graphs for themselves, in response to a given textual (or formulaic) description. These graphs are then checked by the server, which determines whether or not the student submitted graph is correct or incorrect. We present some preliminary experiences with this new problem type, while a study is under way to test the effectiveness of this approach.
  Footnotes: None
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CC05:   

Item Response Theory Analysis of the Mechanics Baseline Test
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 7:10PM - 7:20PM
  Author: Carolin N. Cardamone, MIT
617-324-2731, cnc@mit.edu
  Co-Author(s): Saif Rayyan, Daniel Seaton, Raluca Teodorescu, Dave Pritchard
  Abstract: Item Response Theory (IRT) algorithms are being developed to better assess student performance in our Integrated Learning Environment for Mechanics (ILEM; [1]). A student's skill, as determined by IRT, provides more information than the traditional student score because it takes into account universally calibrated problem difficulties. Importantly, it allows determination of skill on a universal scale independent of which questions the student answers. Our approaches seek to dynamically update student and class skill level in ILEM throughout the course based on their performance, rather than relying primarily on the gain from pre/post testing. We present results comparing IRT and pre/post gain analysis of the Mechanics Baseline Inventory Test, including discussion of item parameters for the 26 questions on the MBT exam.
  Footnotes: [1] R. Teodorescu, A. Pawl, S. Rayyan, A. Barrantes and D. E. Pritchard, Toward an Integrated Online Environment, 2010 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings, edited by S. Rebello, M. Sabella and C. Singh
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CC06:   

Integration of Computer-based Pre-, in- and Post-lecture Activities in Physics
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 7:20PM - 7:30PM
  Author: Kelvin Cheng, Texas Tech University
806-742-2992, kelvin.cheng@ttu.edu
  Co-Author(s): Amy Pietan, Mehmet Calglar, Hani Dulli
  Abstract: Monitoring and assessing the students' learning activities before (pre-), during (in-) and after (post-) lecture teaching in a large (more than 150 students) introductory physics class are important to evaluate the efficacies of new teaching pedagogies and methods. At Texas Tech, an online and integrative computer-based approach of using an interactive pre-lecture Just-in-Time tutorial, in-lecture Peer-Instruction clickers, and post-lecture Lab and online homework was implemented in the last two semesters. Using standard mechanics concepts and baseline surveys as well as independent classroom observations, the effects of these computer-based technologies on students' learning of physics concepts and problem-solving skills among different student subgroups taught by TAs and lecturers using different levels of student interactive engagement in class are investigated. Comparisons among computer-based technology interventions and their predictive roles in learning outcomes will be examined using Pearson correlation and multivariate analysis methods. (This work was supported by an NIH-STEM grant 1RC1GM090897)
  Footnotes: None
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CC07:   

PASE: A Professional Development and Equipment Loaner Program
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 7:30PM - 7:40PM
  Author: Susan M. Engelhardt
S. C. Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
843-383-3901x3950, engelhardt@gssm.k12.sc.us
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: Learn about the Portable Advance Science Exploration (PASE) program and how it provides professional development and equipment loans to middle and high school teachers, allowing over 40 teachers to have engaged 3,500+ students with inquiry-based labs using technology at no cost to the teachers. PASE is an outreach program sponsored by the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM). Also learn about other outreach initiatives conducted by GSSM which reach hundreds of teachers and thousands of students.
  Footnotes: *Sponsored by Larry Engelhardt
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CC08:   

Teaching Kids to Create Computer Simulations Using EJS
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 7:40PM - 7:50PM
  Author: Larry Engelhardt, Francis Marion University
843-661-1452, lengelhardt@fmarion.edu
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: Easy Java Simulations (EJS) is a free, open-source tool for creating interactive computer simulations. This summer (June 2011) I will be using EJS to teach 9th and 10th graders to create computer simulations in a week-long (summer science camp) course. Will we succeed? What will they create? Come find out! During the past year I have also used EJS for teaching multiple undergraduate courses in computational physics, so I will address the specific challenges and opportunities that arose when teaching high school students versus college students.
  Footnotes: None
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CC09:   

Electricity and Magnetism Self-Testing and Test Construction Tool
  Location: HC 3029
  Date: Monday, Aug.01
  Time: 7:50PM - 8:00PM
  Author: John C Stewart, University of Arkansas
479-445-2522, johns@uark.edu
  Co-Author(s): None
  Abstract: This talk presents an online resource for teaching and evaluating introductory electricity and magnetism classes. The resource contains a library of highly characterized, multiple-choice, conceptual, and quantitative electricity and magnetism problems and solutions all linked to a free online textbook. The library contains over 1000 classroom tested problems. Each problem is characterized by the complexity of its solution and by the fundamental intellectual steps found in the solution. Exam construction, administration, and analysis tools are provided through the resource's website. Problems may be downloaded for use in exams or as clicker questions. A self-testing tool is provided for students or instructors, an excellent tool for brushing up on conceptual electricity and magnetism. Conceptual inventory scores produced by the site are normed against the Conceptual Survey in Electricity and Magnetism. There is no cost associated with using any of the facilities of the site and you can begin to use the site immediately. Supported by NSF - DUE 0535928. Site address http://physinfo.uark.edu/physicsonline.
  Footnotes: None
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