Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format Overview of current introductory physics labs at Pitt Course Transformation Award – Plans Initial Results from Fall Semester 2016 Long Term Plans Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Three Introductory Physics Lab Courses PHYS 0212 – Introduction to Laboratory Physics 2 Credit hours Algebra based Co-requisite PHYS 0111 Introduction to Physics 2 PHYS 0219 – Basic Laboratory Physics for Science and Engineering Calculus based Co-requisite PHYS 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 2 PHYS 0520 – UHC Modern Physics Measurements 3 Credit hours Pre-requisite PHYS 0175 or 0476 Introduction to Physics, Science and Engineering 2 Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

The Structure of PHYS 0219 PHYS 0219 meets twice each week: 50 Minute Recitation – All of the students meet for a lecture on the basic theory and how the theory will be tested. 3 Hour Lab – The students work in groups of 2 or 3 to complete the experiments. The lab sessions have a maximum of 24 students and are run by a TA. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Course Transformation Award - Plan Rather than reinventing the wheel, we will implement a curriculum developed by: David Sokoloff (University of Oregon) Ronald Thornton (Tufts University) Priscilla Laws (Dickinson College) RealTime Physics Active Learning Laboratories Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

New Schedule for PHYS 0219 Due to university holidays, the labs only meet for 13 weeks during the fall and spring semesters. Week 1 – Acceleration in one dimension Week 2 – Simple harmonic motion Week 3 – Equilibrium of a rotating fluid Week 4 – Velocity of sound and harmonics Week 5 – Module 3-4 Batteries, Bulbs and Current Week 6 – Module 3-5 Current in Simple DC Circuits Week 7 – Module 3-6 Voltage in Simple DC Circuits and Ohm’s Law Week 8 – Module 3-8 Introduction to Capacitors and RC Circuits Week 9 – Module 3-9 Magnetism Week 10 – Module 3-10 Electromagnetism Week 11 – Geometrical optics Week 12 – Physical optics (diffraction) Week 13 – Makeup labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Course Transformation Award - Plan The students will complete a survey after the first set of traditional labs. A professor will observe both the traditional and inquiry based labs. They will complete the same survey after the six inquiry based labs. The TAs will keep track of the time that they spend grading both traditional and inquiry based labs. There will be a focus group with the lab students each semester to discuss both formats. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 2 The experiments in this lab have reinforced the concepts that I have learned in my introductory physics lecture courses (PHYS 0174 and 0175). After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 8 11 (3) Agree 22 20 (2) No Opinion 5 2 (1) Disagree 1 (0) Strongly Disagree Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 74% 80% After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 3 I should easily be able to earn an A or B in this course. After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 25 27 (3) Agree 10 4 (2) No Opinion 2 3 (1) Disagree (0) Strongly Disagree Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 91% 93% Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 4 The instructions in the lab manual are vague and difficult to follow. Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 1 2 (3) Agree 9 8 (2) No Opinion 7 (1) Disagree 17 16 (0) Strongly Disagree 3 Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 42% 47% After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 5 I find that working with a partner is very helpful in completing the lab experiments. After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 29 26 (3) Agree 6 8 (2) No Opinion 2 (1) Disagree (0) Strongly Disagree Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 93% 94% Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 6 My lab partner and I often have the opportunity to improvise our own way of testing the theory. Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 6 (3) Agree 4 13 (2) No Opinion 12 9 (1) Disagree 17 (0) Strongly Disagree Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 36% 64% After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 7 My lab partner and I require a lot of assistance from the TA in order to complete the lab experiments. Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 2 (3) Agree 7 3 (2) No Opinion 6 9 (1) Disagree 20 14 (0) Strongly Disagree 4 Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 36% After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 8 My lab partner and I often interact with other groups in the lab to come up with strategies to complete the experiments. Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 3 4 (3) Agree 15 16 (2) No Opinion 5 (1) Disagree 11 8 (0) Strongly Disagree Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 53% 57% After 6 Inquiry Based Labs After 4 Traditional Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 9 The equipment in the lab is always in good working order. Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 8 9 (3) Agree 16 15 (2) No Opinion 6 3 (1) Disagree 7 (0) Strongly Disagree 1 Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 67% 68% After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 10 The equipment in the lab is complicated and very difficult to use. Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree (3) Agree 5 1 (2) No Opinion 9 (1) Disagree 21 (0) Strongly Disagree 2 7 Total Responses 37 34 Weighted Average 36% 25% After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 11 The lab reports/worksheets for the experiments are clear and easy to complete. Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 9 (3) Agree 16 14 (2) No Opinion 4 2 (1) Disagree 7 6 (0) Strongly Disagree 1 Total Responses 37 33 Weighted Average 67% After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Survey Question 12 Too much emphasis is placed on having the “correct” data. Survey 1 Survey 2 (4) Strongly Agree 4 3 (3) Agree 8 (2) No Opinion 7 9 (1) Disagree 14 11 (0) Strongly Disagree 6 Total Responses 37 33 Weighted Average 46% 40% After 4 Traditional Labs After 6 Inquiry Based Labs Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Lab Observations The observer will be looking for following things: The number of times that a student or a group requests help from the TA. The number of times that the TA spots a student or a group that is having difficulty and offers help. The number of times that a student or a group appears confused about the procedure. The number of times that a student or a group appears confused about the equipment. The number of times that a student or a group tries an experiment that is not in the procedure. The time for each group to complete the whole set of experiments. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Lab Observations 321 Traditional Labs (2.5/student) The number of times that a student or a group requested help from the TA, or the TA spotted a student or a group that was having difficulty and offered to help. 321 Traditional Labs (2.5/student) 244 Inquiry Based Labs (2.0/student) (22) (20) Velocity of Sound 70 (21) (22) Geometrical Optics Batteries, Bulbs, Current 66 65 Acceleration in One Dimension 60 (21) (22) Capacitors and RC Circuits 54 (22) Rotating Fluid 51 Oscillatory Motion 47 (21) (21) Voltage and Ohm’s Law 38 Magnetism 37 (20) (20) (20) Physical Optics 27 magnetism Electro- 26 DC Circuits 24 Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Lab Observations Fall 2016 Spring 2017 The number of times that a student or a group requested help from the TA, or the TA spotted a student or a group that was having difficulty and offered to help. (21) Acceleration in One Dimension 68 (22) Acceleration in One Dimension 60 Fall 2016 Spring 2017 Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Lab Observations – Spring 2017 The number of times that a student or a group requested help from the TA, or the TA spotted a student or a group that was having difficulty and offered to help. (2) 13 Group 3 Acceleration in One Dimension Average of 6.8 interactions per group 7 (3) (2) (2) (2) (2) (2) 8 Group 9 7 Group 1 Group 4 7 Group 5 7 Group 6 7 Group 8 7 (2) (2) Group 12 5 Group 2 4 (2) Group 11 3 (0) (0) Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Lab Observations Average number of minutes to complete the lab. Rotating Fluid 172 137 min. Traditional Labs 115 min. Inquiry Based Labs Batteries, Bulbs, Current 155 Velocity of Sound 152 Geometrical Optics 148 Oscillatory Motion 131 Capacitors and RC Circuits Acceleration in One Dimension 129 127 DC Circuits 116 Voltage and Ohm’s Law 105 magnetism Electro- 97 Physical Optics 93 Magnetism 85 Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Lab Observations Time spread in minutes to complete the lab. 180 min. 63 min. Traditional Labs 36 min. Inquiry Based Labs Time spread in minutes to complete the lab. 180 min. Rotating Fluid Oscillatory Motion Acceleration in One Dimension Velocity of Sound Geometrical Optics Batteries, Bulbs, Current Capacitors and RC Circuits DC Circuits Voltage and Ohm’s Law Physical Optics magnetism Electro- Magnetism Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Lab Observations Time spread in minutes to complete the lab. Fall 2016 Acceleration in One Dimension Acceleration in One Dimension Fall 2016 127 minutes Spring 2017 127 minutes Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

TA Grading - Results Traditional labs ~ 2 hours/week Lab reports graded by computer Lab resets Data verification Participation grade Inquiry based labs ~ 4 hours/week Lab reports graded by TA Includes pre-lab and homework Rubric was provided Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Focus Group The students will be asked to participate, voluntarily, in a focus group after the completion of the inquiry based labs. The format will be open ended, but it will start with a discussion of what they found effective or ineffective in both the traditional and inquiry based labs. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Focus Group - Results No one showed up. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Course Transformation Award Long Term Plans PHYS 0212 – Laboratory Physics 1 1 Credit hour Algebra and calculus based Co-requisite PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0174 PHYS 0219 – Laboratory Physics 2 Co-requisite PHYS 0111 or PHYS 0175 Both courses will be inquiry based using the RealTime Physics manuals The Course Transformation Award would then be a seed grant for an external agency such as NSF. Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format

Conclusion Overview of current introductory physics labs at Pitt Course Transformation Award - Plans Course Transformation Award – Initial results Long term plans We would like to thank the dB-SERC for their support on this project! Transition of Introductory Physics Labs to an Inquiry Based Format