Shane Hutson, Introductory Physics

Summary

Dr. Shane Hudson, an associate professor at Vanderbilt University, discusses his approach to teaching introductory physics to pre-med and engineering students. He tailors the course to align with MCAT requirements, using the syllabus to map physics topics to MCAT expectations. Hudson employs low-stakes assessments like clicker questions and online warm-ups to engage students and prepare them for exams, emphasizing conceptual understanding over rote memorization. His strategies aim to motivate pre-med students, who are grade-driven, by connecting classroom activities to their future success on the MCAT.

Takeaways

• 👨‍🏫 Shane Hudson is an associate professor at Vanderbilt University, teaching physics with a focus on pre-med students.
• 🏥 The Introductory Physics course is tailored for two groups: pre-med students and engineers.
• 📚 Hudson's teaching approach is to align physics topics with MCAT requirements, which is crucial for pre-med students.
• 📈 He emphasizes the relevance of physics to motivate students, using the MCAT as a practical application of their studies.
• 📋 The syllabus is designed to show direct correlations between course content and MCAT expectations.
• 💡 Hudson incorporates real-world examples and clicker questions to engage students and reinforce learning.
• 📊 Low stakes assessments, such as online warm-up questions and in-class clicker questions, contribute to a participation grade.
• 🔋 Clicker questions are used frequently, with the aim to encourage participation and understanding of concepts.
• 🌟 The participation grade is designed to be accessible, requiring only 75% of available points to achieve full credit.
• 📈 Hudson aims to correct misconceptions and instill a deep understanding of physics, not just formula memorization.
• 🎯 The ultimate goal is for students to grasp conceptual physics well enough to excel on exams beyond simple problem-solving.

Q & A

Who is Shane Hudson and what is his role at Vanderbilt University?

Shane Hudson is an associate professor of physics with a secondary appointment in biological sciences at Vanderbilt University.

How has the Introductory Physics course been split at Vanderbilt University?

The Introductory Physics course has been split into two courses: one targeted towards pre-med students and the other towards engineers.

Which version of the Introductory Physics course does Shane Hudson primarily teach?

Shane Hudson primarily teaches the pre-med directed course, which is still a calculus-based introductory physics course.

What is the relevance of physics for pre-med students according to the transcript?

Physics is relevant for pre-med students as it will be used a few months to a couple of years after taking the course, specifically when they take the MCAT.

How does Shane Hudson align his physics course with the MCAT?

Shane Hudson aligns his course with the MCAT by explicitly mentioning in the syllabus where the physics topics align with the MCAT expectations and incorporating MCAT-style questions into his class.

What is the purpose of the low stakes assessments in Shane Hudson's course?

The purpose of the low stakes assessments is to motivate students to engage with the material and prepare them for higher stakes exams like the MCAT.

What are the two types of low stakes assessments used in the course?

The two types of low stakes assessments are online warm-up questions and in-class clicker questions.

How does participation in clicker questions affect a student's grade in Shane Hudson's course?

Participation in clicker questions contributes to a participation grade, which counts towards five points of their overall score at the end of the year.

What is the incentive for students to participate in the low stakes assessments?

The incentive for students to participate is that the points from these assessments can significantly affect their final grade, potentially making the difference between different letter grades.

How does Shane Hudson ensure that the low stakes assessments are effective in preparing students for exams?

Shane Hudson ensures the assessments are effective by tying exam questions to the questions students have seen in clickers or warm-ups, making sure they understand the relevance of these assessments to their exam preparation.

What is the main challenge Shane Hudson identifies for students learning physics?

The main challenge identified is that students often have misconceptions about physics, a lack of confidence in their physics abilities, and they may not know how to learn physics effectively.