What: The Physics Education Research Group in the Department of Physics hosts seminar speakers from diverse fields such as science education, psychology, cognitive science, and anthropology. 

When: 4:00 PM on Select Thursdays 

Where: Physics Building 1304

Speakers for Spring 2009:

         February 5: Chandralekha Singh, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh

Improving Teaching and Learning of Quantum Mechanics 

We are investigating the difficulties that students have in learning

quantum mechanics. Our investigation includes interviews with individual

students and the development and administration of free-response and

multiple-choice questions. To help improve student understanding of

quantum concepts, we are designing quantum interactive learning

tutorials (QuILTs) and clicker questions.  We will discuss the

implication of this research and development project on improving

student understanding.

          February 19: Ann Edwards, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Maryland 

          March 5: Megan Bang, TERC, Cambridge, MA

          March 12: Janet Coffey, Curriculum & Instruction, University of Maryland

          March 26: Randi Engel, School of Education, UC Berkeley 

          April 2: Eric Brewe, Science Education, Florida International University 

          April 9th: [Elizabeth Spelke @ Cognitive Science Seminar] 

April 23rd: Anna Sfard, Division of Science and Mathematics Education, University of Haifa, Israel

May 7th: Paula Heron, Department of Physics, University of Washington

Seminars of interest elsewhere on campus

Cognitive science colloquium, Thursdays 3:30-5:30, Biosciences Research Building 1103

Tentative Speakers for the 2009-2010 Academic Year

Cindy Hmelo-Silver, Department of Educational Psychology, Rutgers University (Late Oct/Early Nov)

Steve Pollock, Department of Physics, University of Colorado Boulder

Kathy Perkins, Department of Physics, University of Colorado Boulder