Examining Student Perceptions of a Course Taught in Two Very Different

Types of Classrooms by Rhea Hanrahan, Physicsby Rhea Hanrahan, Physics

What area do we want to research What area do we want to research ? ?

Why does it need to be Why does it need to be researched?researched?

• Explore student perceptions • Understand effect of different environment• Compare the two different teaching styles • Devise new ways of teaching

The Data GatheredThe Data Gathered

• Student responses

• 101/102 Traditional and Performance-based

• Speaking with students

What advice would you give a student just starting out in this class?

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Response

% o

f C

las

s101 Traditional Class Fall 2006

101 P-B Class Fall 2006

102- P-B Class Spring 2007

102 Traditional Class Spring 2006

1.Lectures/professor worthless or confusing, teach yourself2.Get extra help outside of class3.Challenging, confusing, difficult

4.Read the book5.Exam/Homework Advice6.General Class Advice

(go to class, take notes, read, ask questions)

7.Use the tutoring Sessions/Office Hours8.Don’t fall behind/Get help ASAP9.Other (negative/mean)10.Other (positive/nice)11.Did Not Respond

General Comments

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1 2 3 4 5

Response

% o

f C

lass

101 Traditional Class Fall 2006

101 P-B Class Fall 2006

102 P-B Class Spring 2007

102 Traditional Class Spring 2006

1.Negative2.Positive3.Mixed, pros & cons4.Suggestions5.Did Not Respond

What We’ve DiscoveredWhat We’ve Discovered

• Inconsistent surveys make this comparison difficult

• Biases-Reviewer dependent

• Conditions not kept constant

• Looking at student responses is not an accurate way to asses the students understanding of physics

Future WorkFuture Work

Create student questionnaires that can Create student questionnaires that can accurately compare the two classes accurately compare the two classes

See if there is a correlation between See if there is a correlation between student grades and student responsesstudent grades and student responses

Continue to conduct research on Continue to conduct research on performance-based physicsperformance-based physics

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Professor Michael RogersProfessor Michael Rogers• Professor Luke KellerProfessor Luke Keller• Professor Matthew C. Professor Matthew C.

SullivanSullivan

Funded in part by

NSF DUE CCLI #0536246