Session 13

Implementing Active Learning (AL) in High School/University classrooms

Physics Teachers have known the merits of Active Learning (AL) for many years. Recent studies have proven the superiority of AL in increasing student performance in the STEM fields (Scott Freeman et al. PNAS 2014;111:8410-8415 ). Many colleagues have been wary of implementing AL techniques in their classes because of the perceived risk of retribution from students, parents, administration, etc. In this workshop, we will demonstrate and deconstruct low-risk, high-impact strategies for introducing AL in classrooms. We will also brainstorm for ways of creating a culture where teaching with AL methodologies is supported by our partner stakeholders.

Biography

The Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) awarded the 2015 CAP Medal for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Physics to Professor Chitra Rangan, University of Windsor, for her unstoppable commitment to optimizing student interest in physics by employing a wide range of active instructional strategies to enhance student learning, and for being a steadfast advocate for active and research-based learning as well as effective communication skills in science. Dr. Rangan has taught at the University of Windsor since 2004 . In addition to her natural abilities as a communicator and educator, she has undertaken a serious study of the education process in order to develop her own unique philosophy and techniques. Her focus is on developing the complete person through the honing of personal skills and critical thought, as a complement to the principles of physics. The comments from her students attest to the profound impact that Dr. Rangan has had in the classroom. The teaching techniques themselves have been outstandingly successful in achieving a higher retention rate, especially among the weaker students. Her broader contributions to teaching across the University of Windsor and into the local high schools are equally important. She was awarded one of the first University of Windsor Teaching Leadership Chairs. She has become widely recognized for her contributions to science teaching at all levels, and for her enthusiastic encouragement of others to get involved. She has recently launched the Community of Practice - PEARL (Promoters of Experiential and Research-Based Learning), and is actively developing broad-based programs in Science. She has been championing the annual public science festival "Science Rendezvous" in Windsor since 2010. In addition to her deep and lasting contributions to teaching, Dr. Rangan is an active researcher and supervisor of both graduate students and undergraduate research projects. Her research combines her traditional work in atomic and molecular physics with more recent work on gold nanoparticles and applications in medical physics. Her research is well-supported by NSERC, and it has provided a fertile ground for an amazing total of 31 undergraduate research projects since 2004, as well as for graduate students. She also contributes to the broader scientific community as the 2014-2015 Chair of the DAMOPC Division of CAP, Chair of the CAP International Year of Light committee, and member of the CAP Council. She has held many other positions of influence and responsibility in both the CAP and the APS, in addition to having served as Head of the Windsor Physics Department! She is the perfect embodiment of the principle that good teaching and good research go hand-in-hand.