A physics department’s role in preparing physics teachers: The Colorado Learning Assistant model
written by
Valerie K. Otero, Steven J. Pollock, and Noah D. Finkelstein
In response to substantial evidence that many U.S. students are inadequately prepared in science and mathematics, we have developed an effective and adaptable model that improves the education of all students in introductory physics and increases the numbers of talented physics majors becoming certified to teach physics. We report on the Colorado Learning Assistant model and discuss its effectiveness at a large research university. Since its inception in 2003, we have increased the pool of well-qualified K–12 physics teachers by a factor of approximately three, engaged scientists significantly in the recruiting and preparation of future teachers, and improved the introductory physics sequence so that students' learning gains are typically double the traditional average.
<a href="https://www.per-central.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=10691">Otero, V, S. Pollock, and N. Finkelstein. "A physics department’s role in preparing physics teachers: The Colorado Learning Assistant model." Am. J. Phys. 78, no. 11, (November 1, 2010): 1218-1224.</a>
V. Otero, S. Pollock, and N. Finkelstein, , Am. J. Phys. 78 (11), 1218 (2010), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10691&DocID=2165).
V. Otero, S. Pollock, and N. Finkelstein, A physics department’s role in preparing physics teachers: The Colorado Learning Assistant model, Am. J. Phys. 78 (11), 1218 (2010), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10691&DocID=2165>.
Otero, V., Pollock, S., & Finkelstein, N. (2010, November 1). A physics department’s role in preparing physics teachers: The Colorado Learning Assistant model. Am. J. Phys., 78(11), 1218-1224. Retrieved May 22, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10691&DocID=2165
Otero, V, S. Pollock, and N. Finkelstein. "A physics department’s role in preparing physics teachers: The Colorado Learning Assistant model." Am. J. Phys. 78, no. 11, (November 1, 2010): 1218-1224, https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10691&DocID=2165 (accessed 22 May 2025).
Otero, Valerie, Steven Pollock, and Noah Finkelstein. "A physics department’s role in preparing physics teachers: The Colorado Learning Assistant model." Am. J. Phys. 78.11 (2010): 1218-1224. 22 May 2025 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10691&DocID=2165>.
@article{
Author = "Valerie Otero and Steven Pollock and Noah Finkelstein",
Title = {A physics department’s role in preparing physics teachers: The Colorado Learning Assistant model},
Journal = {Am. J. Phys.},
Volume = {78},
Number = {11},
Pages = {1218-1224},
Month = {November},
Year = {2010}
}
%0 Journal Article %A Otero, Valerie %A Pollock, Steven %A Finkelstein, Noah %D November 1, 2010 %T A physics department's role in preparing physics teachers: The Colorado Learning Assistant model %J Am. J. Phys. %V 78 %N 11 %P 1218-1224 %8 November 1, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10691&DocID=2165
Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.