Educating in Bulk: The Introductory Physics Course Revisions at Illinois
8/1/2003
AAPT Meeting, Madison, WI, August 2003 (Invited Talk)
Over the past seven years, we have completely revised all introductory elementary physics sequences at the University of Illinois. Accepting that we must "educate in bulk" (approximately 2500 students are enrolled in these courses each semester), we have adopted a combination of strategies that include interactive lectures (some based on just-in-time methods), web-based homeworks (including exercises designed to promote concept-based problem solving), and discussion and laboratory sections that feature collaborative learning, all with the intent of actively engaging the students in all aspects of the course. I will describe the main features of these revisions, including the changing role of faculty in the program.