Learning physics by doing physics: challenges and opportunities

All students and staff welcome.

Speaker

Professor Eric Burkholder of Auburn University, United States. He works in broad array of topics in Physics and Engineering Education Research. This includes studying authentic problem-solving in STEM, student experience and performance in introductory STEM courses, and diversity and inclusion in physics. 

Abstract

Practicing scientists engage in complex, iterative decision-making processes in their daily work as they address problems with no known solution and, often, no known path to a solution. This could be the design of wearable electronics, making a medical diagnosis, or designing an experiment to explore the properties of superconducting materials. Yet, the tasks presented to students of science are often algorithmic, entirely specified, and contrived. Prof Burkholder will argue that this is, in part, because such tasks are much easier to mark and design. As such, he present a framework for characterizing authentic scientific tasks (in the context of physics), measuring student performance on those tasks using novel assessment methods, and designing activities which scaffold the development of real-world problem-solving skills. While we see great promise in our initial work, there are two primary challenges to implementing this approach to science teaching. First is the scalability of these assessment methods, which are presently labour-intensive. He will discuss the potential for harnessing Large Language Models toward automating this assessment but acknowledge the many barriers still to overcome. Second is the mental barrier that both students and instructors have between learning and doing science. He will assert that instructors’ preconceptions that students must master algorithmic capabilities before engaging in conceptual and creative pursuits are misguided and also reinforce the dichotomy between the study and practice of science for university students. 

Refreshments

Meet at 16.30 in the Nucleus Building foyer for tea and cakes prior to the talk.