Colloquium: Dr. Meagan Sundstrom | Drexel University
In-Person PHYS 401
Location
Physics : 401
Date & Time
April 2, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Description
TITLE: "Rethinking the role of instructional physics labs”
ABSTRACT: Instructional physics labs often aim for students to observe classic physics phenomena. In this talk, I will describe research that demonstrates significant issues with such concepts-based labs, including limited impacts on student learning of the concepts being observed and student expectations that knowledge comes from authority. I will then describe a new approach to lab instruction that focuses on developing experimental skills. I will also present data about student expectations for how they construct knowledge in skills-based labs and the extent to which students engage in peer interactions in concepts-based versus skills-based labs.
ABSTRACT: Instructional physics labs often aim for students to observe classic physics phenomena. In this talk, I will describe research that demonstrates significant issues with such concepts-based labs, including limited impacts on student learning of the concepts being observed and student expectations that knowledge comes from authority. I will then describe a new approach to lab instruction that focuses on developing experimental skills. I will also present data about student expectations for how they construct knowledge in skills-based labs and the extent to which students engage in peer interactions in concepts-based versus skills-based labs.
