Research-based instructional software in modern physics

Abstract

In teaching mathematics or science, understanding how to incorporate instructional technology and evaluate its impact is of great importance. In this paper, we report on how we are using physics education research both as a guide to the way we develop computer-based curriculum and as a means of assessment. The context of our study is modern physics, which is a subject being taught in a growing number of classes from high school through graduate school. We focus on a computer tutorial on the photoelectric effect and its implementation in a university modern physics course for engineers and scientists.