Teaching Physics (PHYS 6300)

Computer Number: 81336

Fall 2008 SYLLABUS

 

Instructor: Prof. A. G. U. Perera, Rm. 507 Science Annex, (404) 413-6037;

Class Timings: Wed. 11:00 AM--11:50 AM. The first class is on Aug.20th. And the last class is on Dec.10th.

Room: NSC 272

No required text. Readings from several books (in 7 day reserve in the library) will be required.

1. Teaching Intro Physics. A source Book, C. E. Swartz & T Miner QC 30.s87 1997.

2. Teaching intro Physics, A. B. Arons, QC 30.A78 1997.

3. Conference on the Introductory Physics Course, J. Wilson, QC 30.c639 1993.

4. Real time Physics­ active learning laboratory (vol 1 & 2) K. Thornton, Priscilla W. Laws, QC 30.s65 1999 V1,& V2. 

5. Five Easy Lessons: Strategies for Successful Physics Teaching by Randall D. Knight.

6. Harvard Education Group's videos: A Private Universe and Minds of Our Own.

 

TENTATIVE OUTLINE OF WEEKLY MEETINGS

1. Introductory meeting: Introductions/Goals/Requirements; Specific ideas on teaching labs. (AGUP/CB/CM) *Discussion of first weeks of lab teaching experience students have had.

2. General discussion of teaching principles. (AGUP/CM/CB)

3. Discussions involving reading assignments on pedagogy.

4.--9. Students to prepare and present introductory lab lectures: These should be different for each student, but based on a lab they have taught already or will teach. Two students to present their lectures (15 minutes) each hour. Critiques by other students and instructors to be given after each presentation. Students are urged to give a practice session on videotape before their actual class presentation. After the class presentation, students should give a copy of a video presentation to the instructor before the end of the semester. 

10.--? Lecture/discussion led by a Center for Teaching and Learning member. (P. Lindsay). (Date to be arranged)

11.--14. Discussions involving reading assignments on pedagogy.

15. Discussion of grading the lab reports and web resources.

16. Reading and discussion of additional chapters on teaching or Web resources and/or attend workshop by CTL during the term. Lecture/Discussion on critical thinking philosophy.

 

GRADING Your attendance and participation in the class will be required. More than 2 absences (without approval) will require you to retake the class if the assistantship is to be continued. The laboratory presentation and reports will provide 40% of your grade, a writing assignment 25%, and a video presentation, (taped after you have gone through the lab presentation to the class) will yield another 25%. The final 10% will be determined by your attendance at the Department Colloquia/Seminars, which will typically be on Tuesday  from 3:30 PM--4:30 PM. Other times and dates are possible, please check the website and check your e-mail for the announcements. Note that all students are expected to attend every departmental colloquium throughout the time they are at Georgia State. (A student teaching a lab during that period or out of town at a meeting or observatory or other laboratory will be excused from this requirement; however, the instructor should be informed in advance of such absences.) Students are expected to abide by the Policy on Academic Honesty (see the Graduate Bulletin).

 

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