John Huckans Office: (570) 389-4148 Lab: (570) 389-2581
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Teaching
Classes taught:
Algebra-based introductory physics (Giancoli)
Calculus-based introductory physics (Halliday Resnick & Walker)
Modern physics (Eisberg & Resnick, Serway Moses & Moyer)
Senior level quantum mechanics (Griffiths, Robinett)
Science is best taught through one-to-one tutoring because it facilitates relaxed communication between the student and teacher and demands active participation. However, even in a large class, it is possible to approximate the tutoring experience by regularly encouraging small group discussions and using “clickers” (or similar student response devices) to help foster active student participation. Harvard physics professor Eric Mazur and Nobel prize winner Carl Weiman (formerly of JILA, now at the University of British Columbia) are strong proponents of this approach to teaching science to large classes.
Predicting the Outcome of a Science Lecture Demonstration
Mazur’s research in science education is called Project Galileo; it develops precise teaching techniques that are subjected to rigorous testing to determine their efficacy. One interesting result of his research concerns the usefulness of science lecture demonstrations. He has found that unless students are first asked to predict an outcome, it is as if the demonstration were not done at all!
Homework Recitations
Homework recitations are as important as classroom lectures and student laboratories. During labtime students work in small groups while I assist as necessary. Later, volunteers write their solutions on the board which we then discuss. We have regular quizzes that relate directly to the just-completed homework.
The Importance of Research in Science Education
In addition to formal classroom instruction, student laboratories, and homework recitations, science students should engage in research and true scientific inquiry as early as possible in their academic careers. Scientific research sharpens a student’s intuition and crystallizes understanding. Students in a research laboratory learn the importance of persistence, teamwork, and scientific creativity. I am currently engaging three undergraduate biology majors in two separate biophysics research programs. I am also working with three physics and engineering majors to develop an ultra-cold atomic laboratory.