So who’s the new guy teaching Physics 113D, and why is the format of this section different from the others?
I have been at Wake Forest University for most of my career, all but the last seven years in the Physics Department. I believe deeply in the potential of technology to enhance learning and teaching, just as they enhance productivity in the workplace. To advance the tech tools available to you, I agreed to leave the classroom for seven years to lead Information Systems. But I am hungry to get back to my first love, teaching, so here I am.
Why is this section different from others? The Physics Department is committed to the very best teaching methods. An approach to first year physics that has proven highly effective is blurring the distinction between class time and lab time. Another lesson learned about physics teaching and learning is the value of highly interactive class time. I love lecturing, and I am pretty good at it, but I find that my students learn best when they are applying physics principles rather than just hearing me talk about principles during class. If we do more problem solving, experiments, simulations -- and yes, thinking -- when we are together, we can help each other with misunderstandings, you can learn more, and as a nice bonus, class time will be more fun. Our department did not have a space properly configured for this kind of class until this month, so I have the privilege of teaching the first such class at Wake Forest.
We will experiment with a few other approaches that have shown to be effective, and I will discuss these on the first day of class. If we do this right, and I am confident we will, you will learn more and be able apply what you know more consistently and easily.
I look forward to meeting you on August 26 in Olin Hall 105.