• Open Access

Moving toward change: Institutionalizing reform through implementation of the Learning Assistant model and Open Source Tutorials

Renee Michelle Goertzen, Eric Brewe, Laird H. Kramer, Leanne Wells, and David Jones
Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 7, 020105 – Published 6 September 2011

Abstract

Florida International University has undergone a reform in the introductory physics classes by focusing on the laboratory component of these classes. We present results from the secondary implementation of two research-based instructional strategies: the implementation of the Learning Assistant model as developed by the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Open Source Tutorial curriculum developed at the University of Maryland, College Park. We examine the results of the Force Concept Inventory (FCI) for introductory students over five years (n=872) and find that the mean raw gain of students in transformed lab sections was 0.243, while the mean raw gain of the traditional labs was 0.159, with a Cohen’s d effect size of 0.59. Average raw gains on the FCI were 0.243 for Hispanic students and 0.213 for women in the transformed labs, indicating that these reforms are not widening the gaps between underrepresented student groups and majority groups. Our results illustrate how research-based instructional strategies can be successfully implemented in a physics department with minimal department engagement and in a sustainable manner.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 22 March 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.7.020105

This article is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Renee Michelle Goertzen1, Eric Brewe1,2, Laird H. Kramer1, Leanne Wells1, and David Jones1

  • 1Department of Physics, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
  • 2Department of Teaching and Learning, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199, USA

Article Text

Click to Expand

References

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 7, Iss. 2 — July - December 2011

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article part of CHORUS

Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Physics Education Research

Reuse & Permissions

It is not necessary to obtain permission to reuse this article or its components as it is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI are maintained. Please note that some figures may have been included with permission from other third parties. It is your responsibility to obtain the proper permission from the rights holder directly for these figures.

×

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×