The Physics Program at Chicago State University

Views of the Classroom

Physics Laboratory
 Physics Tutorial
 Web-based Assignments

Physics Laboratories are designed to challenge students and help students form logical, consistent, scientific arguments.  In addition to learning how to effectively utilize equipment, students are often asked to design their own experiments to find the answer to a problem.
Tutorials in introductory Physics are nationally recognized research-based curriculum developed by the University of Washington Physics Education Group.  The tutorials target specific student difficulties that have been identified by education researchers.  In the tutorial classroom students are discussing and arguing about ideas, observations, and are resolving their difficulties through a guided-inquiry approach.
 We have adopted the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign web-based homework system. Tycho provides students with two types of questions: Standard Problems and Interactive Examples.  Both types of questions provide students with immediate feedback and provide hints and helps.  
VIDEO EXAMPLES


Work Energy Theorem Lab





Video coming soon

forces in a collisionForces involved in a Collision
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3rd lawNewton's Third Law Force Pairs
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torque on objectThe Torque acting on an object
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videos require internet explorer

For more information on Tycho and the research surrounding Tycho see the UIUC Tycho website at: http://www.physics.uiuc.edu/research/per/

Support for Curriculum Reform in the Physics Program:
Agency
 Description of Project
 Amount
nsflogo
National Science Foundation (CCLI A&I Award)
(10-04 to 9-06)		 This project is a Curriculum development project that will tie conceptual Tutorials with Activity-based Tutorials that utilize computers and modern pedagogical equipment.  support for this work provided by the National Science Foundation's Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement program under grant 0410068. $53,467
CSU RDO logoResearch Development Office
(NIH EARDA Award)
(1-02 to 12-04)
 This project investigates the effectiveness of research-based instructional materials at CSU.  Although these materials have been tested at a number of Universities, there is little research documenting their effectiveness with students at inner-city institutions.  
 $9000


Research on Student Learning
In addition the traditional physics research that the program performs, the program also maintains a research program in Physics Education Research.  This research focuses on identifying student resources and student needs in the physics courses.  This research is then used to develop and revise instructional materials.  For more information on this research contact Mel S. Sabella or visit his web site at: webs.csu.edu/~msabella/.  The web site contains research descriptions, as well as papers and presentations on CSU's Physics Education Research Effort.