Currently an undergraduate in the physics department, I started being interested in Physics Education Research after hearing about it during a professor meet and greet. A few conversations and some planning later, I joined the group. I find PER integral to advancing physics education; students can only be expected to “improve” their learning so much. With more and more students, and more material to work through, other approaches must be made.
I am currently working with Benedikt Harrer on experimental methods to both introduce and teach wave fundamentals in entry level courses using musical synthesizers. Outside of research, Physics Education Research has helped me recognize some of the teaching patterns I use on myself, and on others, and helped allow me to better focus my own learning.
SJSU Physics Education Research Group 