An Experiment That Didn’t Quite Work

I don’t always talk about it, but I like to conduct simple experiments in the classroom. This semester, I decided to conduct one in which students kept track of their own assessment progress. Teachers are often expected to do most all of the work in a class, including keeping detailed records of student performance. Keeping […]

Three Semesters With Standards Based Grading

I need to collect and share some thoughts on my experience so far with standards based grading in both introductory calculus-based physics and introductory astronomy. I don’t know that everything, or anything, here will make much sense but it will help me sort some things out. In doing so, I may see things I’ve not […]

Students: Putting My Transcripts Where My Mouth Is

College transcripts are not, and should not be, a judgement of you as a person. They are an arbitrary record of a certain body of work. The represent only the past, and never the present or the future.

Physics Standards, M&I Chapters 1-3

Here are my M&I class’s standards for chapters 1-3. Students had considerable input into the formulation of these standards. Standard: I can use consistent and correct vector notation. Proficiency Indicator(s): Correct vector notation is used consistently throughout a problem or explanation. Mastery Rubric: Vectors are indicated with arrows. Vector components are indicated with appropriate subscripts or […]

Astronomy Standards

Here are my astronomy class’s first standards. These standards come directly from the first seven inquiry activities done mostly in class. Collectively, these activities form a coherent unit on critical thinking framed so as to form the foundation for astronomy or any other science. The biggest problem I have, and have had for well over […]

Physics Standards

Here are my M&I class’s first standards. We begin the course with a unit on special relativity with readings from a textbook written by Arnold Arons. Each standard has one or more proficiency indicators and a mastery rubric. I want to emphasize that great thought went into formulating these standards, which included student input. There […]