We report conceptual inventory results of a large-scale assessment project at a large university. We studied the introduction of materials and instructional methods informed by physics education research (PER) (physics education research-informed materials) into a department where most instruction has previously been traditional and a significant…

Students benefit in several important ways when a substantive writing assignment is included in a general biology course. Properly designed and implemented, written assignments can enhance mastery of basic information, as well as prompt students to exercise and develop the fundamental skills of planning, research, synthesis, composition, and…

This study explored differences between students studying introductory statistics in a strictly lecture type setting against those in an environment where the lectures are driven by computer software. A 20-item multiple-choice questionnaire was developed covering the main concepts of a first course in statistics. Included were questions on the…