Ruth Saunders
Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Project Profiles
| Tentative Title/Topic | "Impact of Prior Physics Experience on Introductory Physics Grades" |
| Question | Does prior physics experience impact grades in midterms and finals of intro physics courses? Does prior experience improve students confidence?Does this create inequities in grades as prior experience often depends on gender and race. |
| Methods | Tracking grades through the first two introductory physics classes (Phyx 109 and 210) and comparing to self reported prior experience and confidence levels. |
| Sample Size | 60 |
| Short Description | The first semester of introductory physics often begins with a bimodal grade distribution, separated by students who have had previous physics classes and those who have not. That gap is usually closed by the end of the first semester and erased by the second semester. |
| Quote | |
| What's Next? | Write a survey for students. |
