Contribution: This study identifies the types of interaction that contribute to student learning with student-led tutorials (SLTs). The quality of these interactions include peer discussion, student tutor presentation, joint reasoning, and constructive feedback. Background: The introduction of SLTs in an advanced electromagnetics bachelor course…

In the 1980's and 1990's, results from flurries of standardized exams (particularly in 4th and 8th grade mathematics and science) reached the attention of ever-growing numbers of Americans with an alarming message: our children are not even close to keeping up with those in China, Japan, and Korea. As a step towards improving American classrooms,…

Research has shown that asking conceptually based questions along with a personal response system (clickers) is an effective way of implementing the peer instruction pedagogy. Lecture tutorials are a paper-based method that also incorporates peer instruction. Past research has shown that both methods yield significant learning gains for students…

While it is well known which curricular practices can improve student performance on measures of conceptual understanding, the sustaining of these practices and the role of faculty members in implementing these practices are less well understood. We present a study of the hand-off of "Tutorials in Introductory Physics" [McDermott and Schaffer…

Describes the function, management and facilities of the Physics Tutorial Center (PTC) at North Carolina State University. A primary function of the PTC is to provide immediate and individualized response to learning problems identified by the students. The operational philosophy is to guide the student to the solution by asking questions and not…

Some serious difficulties that students have in understanding physical optics may be due in part to a lack of understanding of light as an electromagnetic wave. Describes the development and use of tutorials designed to address students' conceptual difficulties. (Contains over 15 references.) (Author/WRM)

Describes a series of computer tutorial programs which are intended to help college students in introductory physics courses. Information about these programs, which are either calculus or algebra-trig based, is presented. (HM)

Understanding the relevance of basic science knowledge in the determination of patient assessment, diagnosis, and treatment is critical to good medical practice. One method often used to direct students in the fundamental process of integrating basic science and clinical information is problem-based learning (PBL). The faculty facilitated small…

Four courses in extractive metallurgy (Pyrometallurgy, Hydrometallurgy, Electrometallurgy; and Physical Chemistry of Iron and Steel) were prepared in a modular, self-paced format. Development of the course materials included: (1) preparation of course outlines by unit coordinators and advisory committees; (2) approval of course outlines (included…

To achieve economy in the teaching of earth sciences, an audiovisual-tutorial program was designed in the pattern of a simulated field trip. Twelve weekly exercises combining slides, filmstrips, and audiotapes were produced and tested on an experimental group of 50 students, who also received one lecture a week. The program was evaluated and…

The Open University of Great Britain, using a multimedia, mass media approach offers instruction leading to a university degree. Its Faculty of Science provides instruction in the disciplines of biology, physics, chemistry, and earth science. The philosophy of instruction is anti-specialization, pro-integration; the social impact of science and…

The University of Great Britain will soon open, with an enrollment of 25,000 students. Within three years, 40,000 undergraduate students are expected. The instructional system of the Open University is unique: it employs a multimedia approach and stresses the interdisciplinary nature of the foundation courses. Weekly radio programs and…