Edward Brown edited student gain.tex  about 9 years ago

Commit id: e8fb0b72d994c0ad071ce4cd509a184bdf69422c

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We measure student gains \citep[see, e.g.,][]{hake1998interactive} by incorporating a pre-test and post-test into the course. The current pre-test is short---3 questions---and assesses knowledge of basic mechanics, spherical coordinates, and vector algebra. In subsequent editions of the course, we shall add questions on statistics (e.g., error in the mean, standard deviation of a population, and propagation of errors) and basic astronomy (e.g., inverse square law for flux, diffraction limit, and doppler effect).  We will ask questions from the pre-test again, either on in-class quizzes or on the final exam. This allows us to gauge the gain in student competency and to evaluate how changes in the course improve student learning.