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STACEE scientists are also invovled in science education innovation for university students, including:
- Implementation of a computer-based system for audience participation and peer instruction in the lecture hall environment called Classtalk The Classtalk system at Chicago is supported by the National Science Foundation under the auspices of the CAREER program.)
- Organization of a curricular workshop on Concept Tests for introductory physics
- Giving public lectures
- Teaching courses at Adler Planetarium
- The participation in the Science Partners for Teachers program
- Working with a tutoring program for 4th and 5th graders in the public schools
Science Education Innovation -- A Classroom computer network
Corbin Covault, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago is implementating a new computer-based system for audience participation and peer instruction in the lecture hall environment (called Classtalk under the auspices of the CAREER program.) The Classtalk system is currently was used in Physical Sciences 111-112-113, a Common Core physics course at the University of Chicago, serving over 100 students. The Classtalk network allows students to respond interactively during the lecture. Applications include student polling, feedback, and real-time problem solving. The system is particularly well-suited for use of Concept Tests and the technique of Peer Instruction, both of which have been widely promoted by Eric Mazur of Harvard University as very effective techniques for active learning in the classroom. (See also the Concept Test Workshop below.)
Here is a bird's-eye schematic view of the Classtalk system as implemented in the Kersten Physics Teaching Center Room 115 at the University of Chicago. Blue squares indicate the baseline network and ports install in 1996. Red squares indicate the network port expansion that was installed in 1998.
Science Education Innovation -- Curricular Development for Physics Corbin Covault organized and conducted a curricular workshop on Concept Tests for introductory physics. This workshop was devoted to the development and application of problem questions that can be used to probe student's conceptual understanding of key ideas in introductory physics classes. Over 100 new Concept Test questions were developed at this workshop, and these will soon be made available via the Web.
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