Redesign Online Tools in a Physics Course

Physics 204B is the second course in the calculus-based introductory physics sequence taken by almost all STEM majors. It introduces many of the fundamental concepts electricity and magnetism and, more broadly, in the application of scientific principles. The Physics 204 series is also often the first series of courses taken outside of mathematics which applies trigonometry and calculus intensively and has a consistently high DFW rate (30% on average). We propose to introduce Perusall, an online learning tool designed to turn personal readings into engaging collective activities to both help students create an active learning community outside of the classroom and also to help the instructor easily identify difficulties by generating "student confusion reports".