New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences  

Simon Bates

I present a perspective on one of the most important challenges facing teaching and learning, in the Physical Sciences and many other disciplines. I argue that the challenge is less about finding novel ways to enhance student learning but ensuring a wider... see more

Peter Main

On achieving power, the coalition government was quick to fulfil its election pledge to abolish as many quangos as reasonable in the shortest possible time. Among the first to go was the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. One of the principal roles ... see more

Simon Rees,Megan Bruce,Sam Nolan

In this paper we discuss the outcomes of our research into effective teaching strategies to enhance understanding of subject specific language by international and non-traditional students. Teaching strategies with an emphasis on improving scientific lite... see more

Gita Sedghi

Peer assisted learning (PAL) was implemented in the Chemistry Department at the University of Liverpool to complement the University’s current peer mentoring programme. PAL leaders, who were trained by the staff from the Educational Development Division, ... see more

Dylan P Williams,Terese Bird,David L Davies

A series of short, focused multimedia resources was developed based on areas of the chemistry degree course with which students often have difficulty. The resources were generated by undergraduate project students using Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Conn... see more

SJ Nolan,M Szablewski,TLJ McComb,IG Hughes

The teaching of first year undergraduate practical physics is currently faced with a difficult problem: the disparity in the level of practical physics many university entrant students have encountered prior to their arrival. Those with little practical p... see more

Simon J Lancaster

The drive to flip teaching is a reaction to the limitations of the traditional lecture, which may be efficient at addressing many students but is ineffective at engaging and teaching those students. The term ‘flipped lecture’ describes the process of requ... see more

Derek Raine,Cheryl Hurkett

Recent developments in the Higher Education sector have resulted in the creation of increasing numbers of teaching-focused positions, whose imcumbents are commonly referred to as ‘Teaching Fellows’. Individuals in these roles face a variety of unique chal... see more

Jennifer Anne Jean Burnham

A simple framework to make use of undergraduate students as a resource in solving problems has been trialled. Student volunteers were provided with symptoms of a problem and given free rein to interpret the problem for themselves. A pre-laboratory plannin... see more

PH Sneddon,R Douglas

Our study compares the attitudes to their lab experience of students in two science subjects, Chemistry and Physics. We found this to be consistent across the disciplines. Laboratory learning is appreciated by students, as a means to develop knowledge and... see more

Stephen H Ashworth

Formative assessments have been developed to give students practice with simple mathematical manipulations necessary in physical chemistry. A series of computer programs has been used to generate large pools of questions to accompany a core undergraduate ... see more

Olivia Johnson,Sally Hancock,Judy Hardy,Ross Galloway,Marsali Wallace,Simon Bates,Steven Draper

The Fostering Learning Improvements in Physics project is examining the international status of subject-based educational research in physics and the potential for work in this field to impact the teaching and learning of undergraduate physics in UK unive... see more

JR Chapman,SO Hunt,NR Walet

There are anecdotal indications that students avoid questions involving time-dependent exam problems in quantum mechanics. To obtain real evidence, a diagnostic questionnaire has been created and administered to third-year students. It measures students' ... see more

Michael K Seery

Using technology when teaching or to support learning is becoming more common place. This perspective discusses the use of technology in our teaching by considering it from the viewpoint of what we need to support our curricula, investigating how technolo... see more

Sally Jordan

This review of e-assessment takes a broad definition, including any use of a computer in assessment, whilst focusing on computer-marked assessment. Drivers include increased variety of assessed tasks and the provision of instantaneous feedback, as well as... see more

Simon Rees

This engaging and comprehensive volume serves as an excellent introduction to this topic for students with a broad range of backgrounds in the physical sciences. The author engages the reader from the start with a succinct and fascinating history of physi... see more

Sam Nolan

 This book is an excellent updated introduction to this classic 50 year old text for 1st and 2nd year undergraduate electromagnetism. Starting from the basic concept of electronic charge and building in neat sequential units, from electrostatics, thr... see more