Comparing Learning in Flipped and Standard Introductory Physics Classes Beth Parks Colgate University

Flipped classroom section

The Physics Major at Colgate Year 1: Atoms & Waves Introduction to Mechanics Year 2: Electricity & Magnetism, Mathematical Physics, Relativity & Quantum Mechanics, Electronics Years 3-4: 3 upper level electives + senior research

Early evidence for atoms: Gas Laws and Kinetic Theory Charges and fields measure what’s inside atoms (Thomson & Millikan) Waves and interference Special relativity Particles or waves? Photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, de Broglie wavelength, Heisenberg principle Quantum mechanics and reality: Bell’s inequalities Physics 131: Atoms and Waves

8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAY Physics 131 Standard Schedule Recitation 10:20-11:10 Recitation 10:20-11:10 Lecture 9:20-10:10 Lecture 9:20-10:10 Recitation 10:20-11:10 Recitation 10:20-11:10 Lab 1:20 – 4:10 Lab 1:20 – 4:10 Lecture 9:20-10:10 Lecture 9:20-10:10

8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAY Physics 131 Flipped Schedule Recitation 9:55-11:10 Recitation 9:55-11:10 Recitation 9:55-11:10 Recitation 9:55-11:10 Lab 1:20 – 4:10 Lab 1:20 – 4:10

Both sections used existing recitation questions for group problem solving. Both sections had the same: Twice-weekly homework Weekly labs Three tests Final exam

Online content: Hosted on Moodle Alternates lecture segments with multiple choice questions Typically 30 minutes of video content Students received participation credit for 60% correct answers (Replaced required attendance for students in lecture section.)

Student reactions 12 students grew to 17 after the first exam Reasons for enrolling: 31% I’ve had a flipped class before, and I liked it. 62% It seemed like a learning method that would work well for me. 46% I didn’t want to have to wake up for lecture. 31% I was assigned to it, and I decided to give it a try. 15% I was assigned to it, and I went along reluctantly. 31% I transferred into it, after attending lectures. “Convenient, rewatchable, and I can watch it when I’m not drowsy” “I preferred the online lectures mostly because I could pause and rewind sections I didn't understand.” “I honestly had no idea it was a flipped classroom until the first recitation.” 85% in flipped classroom agreed “I would choose a flipped classroom over a traditional lecture section for a future physics class.” 33% in standard classroom would choose a flipped classroom.

Reported learning methods In standard section 94% Attended lecture 13% Read the assignment before lecture 24% Read the assignment after lecture but before recitation 81% Read the assignment after recitation 57% Used the book as a resource, but didn’t read carefully. 34% Watched part or all of lecture video In flipped classroom 55% Read the assignment carefully in the textbook

Questions?