1. Revising the introductory physics sequence at Central Washington University Michael Jackson Department of Physics Central Washington University

2. Background 2007-2008 AY  20 physics majors 1 physics degree (on average about 4.5 degrees/yr)  5 FTEF 2012-2013 AY  80 physics majors 14 physics degree (this year about 20 physics degrees)  4.5 FTEF o Functional department; #s were just small. o Any elements missing from the SPIN-UP report were implemented such as engaging introductory courses taught by the ‘best’ instructors. Students became ‘aware’ of their desire to study physics.

3. The introductory sequence 2007-2008 AY 72 student lecture section Four 18 student lab sections Lecture and lab sections independent and taught by different instructors 2012-2013 AY Two to three 40 student lecture/lab sections Instructors for various sections can differ o Slightly more students are being served using the same resources in an environment that has been demonstrated to better facilitate student learning. 12 WLU (contact hours); 4 WLU for lecture and 2 WLU per lab section 6 WLU (contact hours) per integrated lecture/lab section

4. Before and After

5. Stakeholders Administration  No cost, no problem Students  There will be resistance (placing experienced faculty in this class is very important)  There are demonstrated gains (helpful to regularly remind students of this) Faculty and Staff  PER has demonstrated improved student learning (so consider it an experiment)  Are there any champions among the faculty?

6. Our Results o Department’s enrollment growth. o Some improvement in student learning and we can do better! o Its an experiment! So we can continue to monitor our courses, making adjustments based on student and faculty needs.

7. References SPIN-UP report, National Task Force on Undergraduate Physics, retrieved March 7, 2014 from http://www.aapt.org/programs/projects/ntfup/index.cfm http://www.aapt.org/programs/projects/ntfup/index.cfm http://www.aps.org/programs/education/undergrad/facult y/spinup/spinup-report.cfm SCALE-UP (Dr. Robert Beichner, NC State University) http://www.ncsu.edu/per/scaleup.html A manuscript outlining a portion of our work at CWU is being prepared by my colleague (Dr. Bruce Palmquist) that will be submitted to Effective Practices in Preservice Physics Teacher Education. 7