Improving the Quality of Learning among Physics Students through a Synergistic Implementation of a Team-Based Learning Approach in a Hispanic-Serving Institution

本项目旨在通过在低年级和高水平物理课程的多个部分中使用团队学习（Team-based learning， TBL）来改善学生的本科物理学习，从而为国家利益服务。该项目将通过互动式内容传递来解决学生在概念和解决问题能力方面的普遍差距，这对理解自然的基本规律至关重要。在TBL课程中，学生通过课前准备、准备就绪保证测试（有即时反馈）和通过小组问题解决概念应用来参与学习。精心组建的学生永久团队致力于直接应用物理概念的任务。通过实施TBL，被动的教学和学习将被互动教学和主动参与学习技术所取代，这些技术已被证明在促进深入学习和提高当今STEM劳动力必不可少的社交和协作技能方面是有效的。通过提高学生的理解和核心能力（如批判性思维、经验和定量技能、书面和口头沟通、团队合作技能）的发展，该项目将使当地的西班牙裔社区受益，并为提高代表性不足的学生群体的教育质量服务。该项目的目标是：(1)通过共同努力实施团队学习（Team-Based learning， TBL）来提高物理学生的学习质量；(2)研究如何利用TBL提供文化响应的教学环境；(3)研究实施TBL教学法的相关问题；(4)创建一个支持机制，以维持TBL在多个物理课程中的实施。物理教员将接受培训和支持，在他们的课程中实施团队学习。在团队合作中，教师将通过开发TBL课程材料来重新设计他们的物理课程，这些材料在逆向设计原则的指导下吸引学生。从这个项目中吸取的经验教训可以为其他部门或机构提供一个模式，以合作的方式在他们的STEM课程中实施主动学习。此外，该项目将通过研讨会和实践培训，为当地和全国的教师提供大量的专业发展机会，为TBL课程开发和实施专门设计的教学材料。该项目还有望在TBL实施问题、物理课堂主动学习环境的可持续性以及TBL与其他主动学习技术的比较方面产生有价值的数据。总体而言，该项目将服务于当地社区和国家利益，以提高学生和教师的STEM教育水平。NSF IUSE: EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。通过参与学生学习轨道，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建，探索和实施。该项目还得到了NSF IUSE:HSI计划的支持，该计划的目标是提高STEM本科教育的质量，提高攻读STEM副学士学位或学士学位的学生的招聘、保留和毕业率。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving student learning in undergraduate physics using Team-based Learning (TBL) in multiple sections of lower division and advanced level physics classes. The project will address common gaps in students’ conceptual and problem-solving skills using interactive delivery of content that is essential for understanding the fundamental laws of nature. In TBL classes, students engage in learning through pre-class preparation, readiness assurance testing (with immediate feedback), and concept application via group-problem solving. Carefully formed permanent teams of students work on a task that has direct application of physics concepts. By implementing TBL, passive instruction and learning will be replaced with interactive teaching and active engagement learning techniques, which have been shown to be effective in promoting deeper learning and in enhancing social and collaborative skills essential in today’s STEM workforce. By improving students’ understanding and enhancing development of core competencies (such as critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, written and oral communication, teamwork skills) the project will benefit the local Hispanic community and serve the national interest of improving quality of education in underrepresented student populations.The goals of this project are to: (1) improve the quality of learning of physics students through a concerted effort in implementing Team-Based Learning (TBL); (2) investigate how TBL can be utilized for providing a culturally responsive teaching environment; (3) study the issues associated with the implementation of TBL teaching approach; and (4) create a supportive mechanism for sustaining TBL implementation in multiple physics courses. Physics faculty members will be trained and supported to implement team-based learning in their courses. Working in teams, instructors will redesign their physics courses by developing TBL curriculum materials that engage students while guided by the principles of Backward Design. Lessons learned from this project could provide a model for other departments or institutions for a collaborative approach to implementing active learning in their STEM courses. In addition, the project will provide substantial professional development opportunities for faculty, both locally and nationally, via workshops and hands-on training in the development and implementation of specially designed instructional materials for TBL classes. The project is also expected to generate valuable data on TBL implementation issues, on sustainability of active learning environment in physics classes, and on comparisons of TBL with other active learning techniques. Overall, the project will serve the local community and the national interests of improving STEM education both at the students’ and instructors’ level. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools. This project is also supported by the NSF IUSE:HSI program, which has the goals of enhancing the quality of undergraduate STEM education, and increasing the recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of students pursuing associate’s or baccalaureate degrees in STEM.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.