In the Hood College Quantum Mechanics curriculum, the typical lab experiment presented all of the theory for the experiment first. Then, the students would perform the experiment and analyze the data based on the theory they had read. Instead of keeping the labs in this format, two lab experiments were developed under a grant funded by the NSF that used a guided inquiry format. The goal of these experiments was to allow the students to develop the theory based on predictions from information learned in class and through observations in the lab. One lab developed was on the ro-vibrational spectra of HCl and DCl. This lab has been used in the course in a traditional format for years. The second lab experiment was developing the selection rules of X-Ray fluorescence. Because of the switch to a new lab format, student learning must be assessed. The students were given a test before each of the lab experiments. The goal of the pretest was to see what information the students had retained from class. Then, the students were given the lab experiments. After finishing the lab experiment and their lab reports, the students were given the same test to see how their knowledge of the subject had been improved. In addition to the tests, attitudinal data is being gathered from surveys and course evaluation forms for comparison to results from previous years.<br/><br/>This work was funded by the NSF IUSE award number DUE-1431522.

Assessing the effects of guided inquiry lab experiments on student learning quantum mechanics

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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