Blog

Something to think about: Aspects of learning physics

One of the reasons that I love this work is that I am continually learning. My students are always forcing me to thing about physics more deeply and in new ways. In the past few weeks, I have come to a new way of articulating what all I am expecting my students to learn in my class. I do not claim that these ideas are in any way new; I am simply articulating these ideas for myself. In this paradigm, there are at least three aspects of learning physics:

Continue reading Something to think about: Aspects of learning physics

Funds for AAPT SM18 and Presenting to UMass Faculty Senate on OER

https://www.cns.umass.edu/news-events/news-headlines/lecturers-receive-professional-development-grants

The UMass College of Natural Sciences has setup a fund for the professional development of lecturer’s within the college. I plan to use these funds to present our work on self-efficacy at AAPT SM18. These funds mean that we will be able help support Jake to also attend to AAPT SM18 and talk about the graduate TA training course.

In addition, I also presented to the UMass faculty senate today on OER given our work on the P131 textbook. There seemed to be some positive feedback from the other faculty. I hope that other faculty on campus take up this charge. OER are something that we can do as faculty to help control costs for students and make materials that are perfectly designed for our courses.

 

Book finished!

A version of the book is ready to go for this coming semester and can be seen at UMass Phys 131 Textbook. Feedback on the book can be given at https://goo.gl/forms/AuAmDVXFuOruHJnc2. We are really excited to use this book for the first time this coming semester! We think that continuous nature of the students’ readings will make it easier for students to navigate and know what they need to read.

Toggerson Accepted to TIDE Fellowship

About the program

The TIDE (Teaching for Inclusiveness, Diversity, and Equity) Fellowship is an opportunity to “explore how they can enhance students’ learning and academic success across cultural, social, and learning differences by adopting a strength-based, inclusive approach to teaching and learning grounded in the value of diversity. Experiential, collaborative, and reflective learning are integral elements of the TIDE program.”

Toggerson’s Goals

Continue reading Toggerson Accepted to TIDE Fellowship