Colorado LA Pedagogy Course

These lessons are aligned with the University of Colorado Boulder's exemplary LA Pedagogy course. There is at least one lesson associated with most course topics. These lessons were created with support from the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC).
Getting Started Pedagogy Course Sample Syllabus Our suggesions for topics and Periscope lessons for your LA or TA Pedagogy Course Sample Syllabus Expert Advice Best practices for facilitating Periscope lessons Read the Periscope Facilitator's Guide to learn proven methods for running a great lesson Facilitator's Guide
These lessons were created with support from the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC).
22 Lessons

Classroom discourse

Ep. 101: Depth Open Source Tutorials
How can I bring out students' ideas? Attending to student ideas Pressure Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Maryland
Ep. 107: Torture Open Source Tutorials
What instructor behaviors are frustrating for students? Coping with frustration Kinematics Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Maryland

Questioning strategies

Ep. 110: Tension Open Source Tutorials
What is the effect of different kinds of instructor questions? Questioning strategies Newton's laws Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Maryland
Ep. 303: Zero mass Tutorials in Introductory Physics
How can I show students that I expect explanations? Not giving the answer, Questioning strategies Newton's laws Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ Seattle Pacific University

Mental models

Ep. 103: Jump up Open Source Tutorials
What ideas do students have about charge transfer? Attending to student ideas Electrostatics Small-group discussion University of Maryland
Ep. 104: Quilted Open Source Tutorials
What ideas do students have about electronegativity? Attending to student ideas Electrostatics Small-group discussion University of Maryland

Metacognition

Ep. 109: Scratched Open Source Tutorials
How can I encourage productive student debate? Facilitating collaboration Newton's laws Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Maryland
Ep. 108: Hello Open Source Tutorials
Do students have the right to be told whether they are correct? Not giving the answer, Coping with frustration Energy Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Maryland

Student conceptions

Ep. 106: Potholes Open Source Tutorials
What ideas do students have about mechanical energy? Attending to student ideas Energy Small-group discussion University of Maryland
Ep. 302: Equal weights Tutorials in Introductory Physics
What ideas do students have about tension and balancing? Attending to student ideas Newton's laws Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion Seattle Pacific University

Cooperative learning

Ep. 102: Soft bed Open Source Tutorials
What do students do to make it safe to share their ideas? Facilitating collaboration Pressure Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Maryland
Ep. 202: Newton Tutorials in Introductory Physics
What if one student in a group has done the activity before? Facilitating collaboration Newton's laws, Rotation Instructor training session, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Colorado Boulder

Formative assessment

Ep. 310: Physicsy brains Tutorials in Introductory Physics
How can I tailor a task to a specific group of students? Tailoring instruction Newton's laws Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ Seattle Pacific University

Motivation

Ep. 107: Torture Open Source Tutorials
What instructor behaviors are frustrating for students? Coping with frustration Kinematics Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Maryland

Student conceptual resources

Ep. 105: Kite Open Source Tutorials
What ideas do students have about forces and fields? Attending to student ideas Newton's laws, Electrostatics Small-group discussion University of Maryland
Ep. 502: Moving box University Modeling Instruction
What ideas do students have about static and kinetic friction? Attending to student ideas Newton's laws Instructor interaction, Whole-class discussion Florida International University

Implicit bias

Ep. 109: Scratched Open Source Tutorials
How can instructors avoid reinforcing social stereotypes? Promoting equity Newton's laws Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ University of Maryland
Ep. 307: If you disagree Tutorials in Introductory Physics
What are some of the gender dynamics that occur in science classes? Promoting equity Newton's laws Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ Seattle Pacific University

Diversity and equity

Ep. 501: Keep arguing University Modeling Instruction
How can I assess group work in a way that is equitable? Promoting equity Instructor interaction, Whole-class discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ Florida International University
Ep. 501: Keep arguing University Modeling Instruction
How does the culture of a community show up in a physics class? Promoting equity Instructor interaction, Whole-class discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ Florida International University

Fixed and growth mindset

Ep. 501: Keep arguing University Modeling Instruction
Why might students not want to argue in class? Coping with frustration Instructor interaction, Whole-class discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ Florida International University

Instructional values

Ep. 311: Still love us Tutorials in Introductory Physics
How can I show care for my students? Relating to students Newton's laws Instructor interaction, Small-group discussion STEM-wide audiences ✓ Seattle Pacific University