Colloquia
2007
Colloquia
2007
Science Education in the 21st Century: Using the tools of physics
to teach physics
Prof. Carl Wieman
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Carl Weiman has a fulltime position as the Director of the Carl Wieman
Science Education Initiative at the University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, Canada., and still retains part-time positions at the University
of Colorado, Boulder as Distinguished Professor of Physics and Director
of the CU Science Education Initiative.
Date
3:30 p.m., Friday, 29 June, 2007
Location
Physics Lecture Theatre, Old Main Building (K15),
The University of New South Wales
Abstract
Guided by experimental tests of theory and practice, science has advanced
rapidly in the past 500 years. Guided primarily by tradition and
dogma, science education meanwhile has remained largely medieval.
Research on how people learn is now revealing how many teachers badly
misinterpret what students are thinking and learning from traditional
physics classes and exams. However, research is also providing insights
on how to do much better. The combination of this research with modern
information technology is setting the stage for a new approach that
can provide the relevant and effective physics education for all
students that is needed for the 21st century. I will discuss the
failures of traditional educational practices, even as used by “very
good” teachers, and the successes of some new practices and
technology that characterize this more effective approach, and how
these results are highly consistent with findings from cognitive
science. I will also compare the fundamental learning experience
of the classroom with that of the research lab.Guided by experimental
tests of theory and practice, science has advanced rapidly in the
past 500 years. (If you are outside UNSW Physics, please RSVP to P.Furst@unsw.edu.au as
seats are limited.)The audience is invited to meet the speaker beforehand
at 3.45 p.m. over wine and cheese in the Physics Common Room.
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