PHYC 4A: Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Stage 5
Leilah McCarthy
Basic Information
| Number of Outcomes | 9 |
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| Number of Outcomes Assessed | 8 |
| Assessment Frequency | Every semester |
| Analysis Frequency | Every semester |
| Detail Link | Link |
Course Information
| Number of Course Sections | 5 |
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| Number of Instructors | 3 |
Improvement Details
| Details | New teaching methods were implemented, including the use of personal response systems and discourse management. The assessment was modified to include questions that required calculus. |
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Assessment Methods
| Methods | A common 10-question test was given to students from all PHYC 4A sections. This test was similar to the one used in spring 2013, but was changed to include questions that required the use of calculus. |
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Assessment Data Discussion and Analysis
| Term | Spring 2013 |
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| How and With Whom | faculty teaching the same course, other faculty in the department |
| Number Assessed | 98 |
| Data Summary | Criteria: " A significant majority of students should be able to answer each question correctly." SLOs that need improvement: SLO A: Although over half (55%) of the students answered the dimensional analysis question correctly, this is an essential basic skill and we hope to improve this in the future. SLO B: The students continue to struggle with analyzing 2-dimensional problems using vectors. (45% answered correctly) SLO E: Although over half (60%) of the students answered the conservation of energy question correctly, this is a fundamental concept and we hope to improve this in the future. SLO F: The students tend to incorrectly assume that all collisions are elastic. (37% answered correctly) Satisfactory results: SLO C: The students did very well predicting the future trajectory of an object (86% correct). SLO D: Although the students struggle with 2-dimensional problems, they seem to generally be able to apply Newton's Laws. (69% correct) SLO G: Students did well solving problems symbolically. (71% correct) SLO H: Students did well analyzing problems graphically. (72% correct) |
| Planned Improvements | New teaching techniques are being experimented with, including the use of personal response systems and discourse management. |
| Program Review Link | No answer |
Future Plans
| Term | Spring 2014 |
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| Activities | Revision of outcomes and assessment methods (measurements), Assessment (measurement) of outcomes, Analysis and discussion of assessment data and next steps, Implementation of planned changes and reassessment |
| Details | The current outline has 9 SLOs. It was determined that some of these were redundant and could be consolidated and 1 of them was inappropriate and not something that was expected of the students. A new course outline with only 3 SLOs has been submitted to the Curriculum Committee. The same assessment method from fall 2013 will be used in spring 2014. |
| Highlights | No answer |