Abstract:

As is well known, problem solving is a major stumbling block in physics courses, particularly for first year students in STEM programs. Our students have been provided with a tool to reinforce lecture and in-class tutorial instruction. A series of video tutorials were created to address curriculum topics covered in First Year Physics courses. The first set of tutorials targets the topics that are known to be particularly challenging. The video tutorials consist of a theoretical introduction - review of the main concepts in the topic the video addresses - followed by problem solving tips and examples of application. The tutorials were screen-captured using Camtasia, with voice track added to the presentations; Ryerson University students were able to access them through D2L Brightspace (former “Desire to Learn” course management platform) and/or Google Drive.

The video tutorials created support student engagement inside and outside the classroom, by enabling students to access on demand, at their own pace and time, specific instruction which relates directly with the material they learn in the course. This pedagogical methodology has long-term impact on undergraduate curriculum. Initial students’ response to the resource has been very positive, and we plan to expand the project to include other topics from the first year curriculum as well as create videos for selected upper year courses.

Examples of video tutorials will be provided. Session participants will learn about the process of creating the tutorials as well as the software and techniques used to record voice and screen.

Keywords:

STEM, first year physics, video tutorials.