Flipping Physics 131 (Intro Mechanics)

The broad goal of this project is to increase student success in calculus-based introductory physics, specifically introductory mechanics. As this course is the first university Physics course for the majority of science and engineering students at Cal Poly Pomona, it is a prerequisite to all subsequent physics courses and hence the critical point at which to set students on a positive trajectory for learning physics. My class is "flipped." Students view multi-media prelectures and answer checkpoint questions before the class session devoted to the material. Class time is devoted to mini-lectures reinforcing the on-line prelectures, in-class worked examples and exercises emphasizing quantitative problem-solving strategies, and interactive "think-pair-share" questions emphasizing key physics concepts. The course redesign utilizes smartPhysics, developed at the University of Illinois.