Speaker

• Gary Westfall, College of Natural Science

In this session Gary will summarize experiences in teaching PHY 183, first-year calculus-based physics for scientists and engineers, to three large sections (825 students total). The course was taught at MSU during the fall semester 2015 using the digital version of the textbook “University Physics” by Bauer and Westfall.  He will discuss how the students were motivated and how they were guided to be independent problem solvers.  Gary will also discuss how the course was designed to make the experience more centered on the student, and to also reduce cheating on homework and exams.  He will introduce the McGraw-Hill LearnSmart/SmartBook and Connect systems as well as MSU’s LON-CAPA.  Additionally, course data will be presented from the LearnSmart metacognitive modules, the Connect homework problems, and the LON-CAPA exams.  Gary will present the format and organization of the course including the once-a-week exams and present data from the in-class concept checks, and he will also give some results from a survey of the students.

This session will be of interest to all who are considering using digital texts.  It will also be of interest to all who are involved in teaching or coordinating a large class.  Finally, the session will be of interest to anyone who would like to know more about LON CAPA and publisher provided systems.

Background

The Explorations in Instructional Technology Brown Bag series is hosted by the MSU College of Education, College of Natural Science, and MSU IT Teaching and Learning Technology. For more information, contact Sev Grabski. Learn more about other faculty development opportunities.