Shane Hutson, Introductory Physics

CIRTL MOOC
31 Aug 201507:48

Summary

TLDRDr. 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

  • đŸ‘šâ€đŸ« Shane Hudson is an associate professor at Vanderbilt University, teaching physics with a focus on pre-med students.
  • đŸ„ 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.

Outlines

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Mindmap

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Keywords

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Highlights

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Transcripts

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Étiquettes Connexes
Physics EducationPre-Med PrepMCAT ReadinessActive LearningVanderbilt UniversityConceptual UnderstandingClicker QuestionsParticipation GradeLow Stakes AssessmentsStudent Motivation
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