Biographical Sketch:
M.S., Ph.D. Physics, Tulane University 2003 Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry, Colorado School of Mines 2003-2005. Postdoctoral Fellow, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, 2004-2005.
Interests:
My research focuses on how students learn (and don't learn!) physics and astronomy. A recent one year study involved using different grading incentives for clicker questions in Physics 101. During the first semester of this project, we recorded student learning groups in each section of astronomy several times during the semester. The goal was to see if the nature of the conversations differed between sections. A secondary goal was to see if gender differences within groups colored the conversations in any measurable way. This study was done in conjuction with Anneke Metz, a professor in Cell Biology. She also recorded groups and we are analyzing our data together to see if there are differences between how learning occurs in biology versus physics. Another current project involves using planetarium software in Physics 101 as opposed to more traditional methods using a globe to measure the effect this software has on student understanding of the apparent nightly and seasonal motions of the night sky. Students are tested on the ideas and classes in which the software was used will be compared to classes in which more traditional methods were used to discuss the ideas. This work is supported by a grant from the Teaching and Learning Committee.
Selected Publications:
"Exploring gender difference with different gain calculations in astronomy and biology", S. D. Willoughby and A. Metz. (Available here) "Technology talks: Clickers and grading incentive in the large leture hall", S. D. Willoughby and E. Gustavson (Available here)
Selected Talks:
Invited talk, AAPT Chicago, Spring 2009. "Student conversations during clicker questions: What are they saying?" S. Willoughby and M. James. "Badass Women Astronomers" March 19th, 2008. Women's History month sack lunch talk. Link
Academic Responsibilities:
Classes being taught by Dr. Willoughby this semester are listed below. Follow the link to find the online content for the class:-
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