Improving Student Understanding of Quantum Mechanics via Research

该奖项资助了一个开发材料的项目，该材料将帮助学生理解量子力学中具有挑战性的主题。其目的是通过继续开发、评估和传播量子互动学习教程(被子)和本科课程的同行教学工具，为未来的科学家和工程师做好准备，以满足高科技工作场所对量子现象的日益依赖的需求。被子和同伴指导工具以研究为指导，以认知学徒模式为基础，强调建模、指导和断奶。指导和有效的教育方法对于留住学生的科学知识和塑造他们的职业选择至关重要。使这些产品特别适合于具有挑战性的量子物理教学任务的课程特点是：(1)它们基于物理教育研究，特别关注认知问题。(2)他们通过要求学生预测在特定情况下会发生什么，然后提供适当的反馈来保持学生对学习过程的投入。(3)他们使用可视化工具来帮助学生建立关于量子过程的物理直觉。(4)他们试图在量子力学抽象的定量形式主义和解释和预测各种物理现象所需的定性理解之间架起一座桥梁。(5)它们是基于对学生在学习量子物理中的各种概念时遇到的困难进行的系统调查。(6)许多工具可由教师在课堂上作为讲课的补充，或在课外作为家庭作业，或作为学生的自学工具。(7)它们由自给自足的模块单元组成，可以按任何方便的顺序使用。这些工具也可供研究生使用，他们可能需要更新在本科生量子力学中学到的概念，作为自学工具。该奖项由数学和物理科学局的物理综合活动部和教育和人力资源局的本科生教育部共同资助。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award funds a project to develop materials that will help students understand the challenging topics in quantum mechanics. The aim is to prepare future scientists and engineers for the demands of the high-tech workplace with its growing dependence on quantum phenomena through the continued development, assessment, and dissemination of Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorials (QuILT) and peer-instruction tools for undergraduate course. QuILTs and peer-instruction tools use research as a guide and are based on a cognitive-apprenticeship model emphasizing modeling, coaching and weaning. Guidance and effective methods of education are critical in retaining students in science and in shaping their career choices.The curriculum features that make these products particularly suited for the challenging task of teaching quantum physics are: (1) They are based upon research in physics education and pay particular attention to cognitive issues. (2) They consistently keep students engaged in the learning process by asking them to predict what should happen in a particular situation and then providing appropriate feedback. (3) They employ visualization tools to help students build physical intuition about quantum processes. (4) They attempt to bridge the gap between the abstract quantitative formalism of quantum mechanics and the qualitative understanding necessary to explain and predict diverse physical phenomena. (5) They are based on systematic investigations of difficulties students have in learning various concepts in quantum physics. (6) Many of the tools can be used in class by the instructors as supplements to lectures or outside of the class as homework or as self-study tool by students. (7) They consist of self-sufficient modular units that can be used in any order that is convenient. These tools can also be used by graduate students who may need to refresh concepts learned in undergraduate quantum mechanics as a self-study tool. This award is co-funded by the Division of Physics Integrative Activities in Physics Program within the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate and by the Division of Undergraduate Education within the Education and Human Resources Directorate.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.