Re: Teaching Masters

[John Clement <clement@HAL-PC.ORG>]

You should really consider getting a masters at an institution which has a
strong PER group.  I have a master's thesis by a student of Priscilla Laws
at Dickinson college.  The student did some very good physics education
research.  The places that Dan mentioned should be able to give you good
training in using interactive engagement.  Also Tufts U, U. Oregon, NC
State, Washington, Arizona State, U. Mass Amherst and others can possibly
supply support with good research.  TX A&M currently has a grad student who
is working on reforming some of their courses.  There are also individual
researchers who do not have a research group, but may be willing to take you
on as a paid apprentice.  Alas, you can not apprentice with some of the
masters such as Richard Hake, but there are some very good people who might
want you.

I would emphasize that most teachers find it nearly impossible to do IE
without training, so getting an RA or TA at a conventional institution will
not improve your skills, and might just harden them in the conventional
mold.  A few mavericks such as me manage to do it, but it is painful to
overcome the institutional pressure to do conventional things.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX

> There are a number of programs offering such here on the East Coast; we
> have an MSEd (Physics with Alternative Certification) program here at
> BSC; Rutgers (Eugenia Etkina) has something similar.  The
> assistantships are the most competitive part, though special student
> loans (E.g. Noyce) are available for these candidates, who are sought
> by specialty programs as career changers to science teaching.  see
> <http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/programs/> and
> <http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/programs/MSEDPgms.html>
>
> Dan M
>
> On Oct 13, 2004, at 1:05 PM, Jim Peters wrote:
>
> > Is there a place where a student with a BS in physics, top GRE physics
> > field test scores, and a talent for teaching can get an MS in Physics,
> > a teaching certificate, and also get support for his studies through
> > an assistantship or fellowship?
> > Thanks,
> > Jim Peters
> > jim.peters@hillsdale.edu
> > Hillsdale College
> > 33 E. College St.
> > Hillsdale, MI 49242
> Dan MacIsaac, Assistant Professor, Physics, SUNY Buffalo State College
> 222 SCIE BSC 1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14222 716-878-3802
> <macisadl@buffalostate.edu> <http://PhysicsEd.BuffaloState.edu>