Category Archives: Physics Education Research

Thoughts about the goals, methods, and results of research into the teaching, learning, and utilization of physics knowledge.

playing a game

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Ian

“Playing a game is the voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacles.” — Bernard Suits, quoted in Jane McGonigal’s Reality is Broken Is learning physics a game? Is doing physics a game? Does it depend on how obligated we feel to … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning & Teaching, Physics Education Research | Leave a comment

getting out of their way

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Ian

A radical thought: We (educational researchers and instructors) spend great time and energy trying to optimally engineer our students’ learning environments and experiences — pacing, sequencing, balance of examples vs. tasks vs. information, cognitive load, collaborative designs, testing intervals, reward … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational Research, Learning & Teaching, Physics Education Research | 4 Comments

clicker resources posted

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Ian

At Stephanie Chasteen‘s urging, I’ve posted a collection of my various writings about using clickers effectively to my web site. Beware: Some are more polished than others, and some are a little frayed around the edges. I hope you find … Continue reading →

Posted in classroom response systems, Educational Research, Learning & Teaching, Pedagogy, Physics Education Research | 5 Comments

coming soon: theory meets reality

Posted on November 7, 2009 by Ian

This blog has been dormant for way too long. Last January, I moved from Massachusetts to North Carolina, and started a new job as a Physics professor. Spring was largely transition, teaching one light course here and making several long … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, classroom response systems, Learning & Teaching, Me, Physics Education Research | Leave a comment

Moving to North Carolina

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Ian

This is a news item, not a thought piece. My team — the UMass Physics Education Research Group (UMPERG) — is moving! The University of North Carolina at Greensboro wants to build a robust, interdisciplinary, inter-departmental effort in science and … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational Research, Me, Physics Education Research | Leave a comment